“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

Black History Month is the perfect time to ask, “What progress is your hospital making in equity of care? What progress are you making in support of the idea that a person’s fate in life should not be predetermined by the color of their skin?” 

The AHA’s #123forEquity campaign is critically important to the effort to end health care disparities and advance diversity and inclusion.

More than 1,140 hospitals and health systems and 60 state and metropolitan associations have signed the pledge to take specific actions to increase the collection and use of data on race, ethnicity and language preference, as well as on cultural competency training and diversity in leadership and governance. Signers also commit to report on their progress promoting diversity.

We are not done – not by a long shot. Achieving care equity and greater diversity is a crucial part of solving America’s current – and future – health care challenges. Equitable care for all patients is both the right thing to do and central to hospitals’ ongoing quality improvement work and part of a business imperative moving forward.  

Have you signed the pledge? If not, please do so today.

Related News Articles

Blog
Even before the COVID pandemic, the mental health and wellness of our young people was failing. The pandemic exacerbated the crisis and made it difficult for…
Perspective
Public
After approval in the House last week by a one vote margin, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — a sweeping package that would enact many of President Trump’s…
Headline
A new AHA video highlights how Corewell Health is transforming youth behavioral health care access in rural Michigan through school-based clinics and…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services May 27 announced it will increase oversight of states to prevent the misuse of federal Medicaid funding to…
Headline
The House May 22 passed the fiscal year 2025 budget reconciliation bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by a 215-214 vote. The legislation includes significant…
Headline
The AHA May 21 voiced support to Senate and House sponsors of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, legislation that would reduce the variation in…