As the AHA reflects on Juneteenth, the June 19 federal holiday recognizing the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans, it also considers how we must strive for equity in health care and beyond, writes Joy Lewis, AHA’s senior vice president for health equity strategies. Lewis explains the importance of Juneteenth, how it’s the nation’s public recognition of the disenfranchisement of people of African descent and discusses health care disparities and the ways in which AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity is leading efforts to close these gaps.

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