Health care needs to diversify its workforce to get rid of racial inequalities, a new report says
A new national report says racial and ethnic inequities in health care are found in every state despite some progress over the past two decades
Racial and ethnic inequitiesin health care are found in every state in the U.S. despite the passage of legislation intended to improve health outcomes for minorities and increased awareness of health care disparities over the past two decades, according to a new national report released Wednesday.
The 300-plus-page document from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine detailed how structural racism and people's surroundings have contributed to worse health outcomes for minorities. It also offers recommendations and solutions to health care organizations and the federal government, like a more diverse workforce and adjusting payment systems to make health care more affordable.
Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association and co-chair of the committee that wrote the report, said people of color in the U.S. are more likely to experience maternal and infant mortality, lower life expectancy and many chronic diseases.
“Inequities are baked into our health care system, and if we address them, everyone benefits,” Benjamin said.
