February marks Black History Month, a timely recognition of the Black community’s invaluable contributions and enduring legacy. Although we should uplift voices from Black communities year-round, February reminds us to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of those who have fought for justice and equality.
This fight for equality coincides with the fight for health equity, where everyone has the ability to attain their highest level of health. It’s important for our hospitals to remember that achieving health equity requires efforts to address historical and contemporary injustices that prevent patients from accessing quality care. About one in six Black and multiracial adults reports trouble accessing a health care specialist. Black Californians also have the shortest life expectancy at birth.
Other communities continue to face health inequities. California is home to about 40 million people with a richness of diversity — race, ethnicity, age, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, education, income, and more. While our patients come from different backgrounds, the health inequities that hospitals and patients deal with are the same across the state.
Hospital Council is committed, along with our state and Regional Association partners, to making sure that all the issues our community is facing are seen through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many regions in the Hospital Council service area are developing policies focused on vulnerable populations, and in particular, improving care for Black moms and infants. We must keep diverse communities in mind as we strive toward our goal of reliable health care for all.