Examining the Health Equity Gap Across the Nation

Steve Adubato is joined by a panel of healthcare and diversity experts to talk about the health equity gap across the nation. The panel examines infant and maternal mortality rates, the connection between health equity and income inequality and the importance of sensitivity training in healthcare facilities.

Panelist include:

Pamela Clarke, PhD, MBA, President & CEO, Newark Community Health Centers, Inc.
Elizabeth Williams-Riley, President & CEO, American Conference on Diversity
Adam D. Jarrett, MD, MS, Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Holy Name Medical Center
Bob Atkins, PhD, RN, Director, New Jersey Health Initiatives, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

12/21/2019 #124

 

 

 

 

Excerpt:

"This is Think Tank. I'm Steve Adubato. Today we are examining the question of health equities. Inequities, if you will. What exactly are inequities in health? And why does it matter to all of you watching? Because it is a huge societal issue. We brought together four experts on the topic. Let me introduce them to you. She's been with us before. She's back again. Doctor Pamela Clarke, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Newark Community Health Centers, Doctor Bob Atkins, Director of New Jersey Health Initiatives at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Doctor Adam Jarrett, who is Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Holy Name Medical Center, and finally, Elizabeth Williams-Perry... excuse me, Elizabeth Williams-Riley, my bad, is President and CEO of the American Conference on Diversity. I apologize Miss Riley. And in that spirit, I'm opening up with you. Ah! [laughter] So okay. You go to a cocktail party. I'm not saying you drink Not my business. But here's the question. If someone says, "What do you mean? What's a health inequity?" Well, first of all, I think people need to understand equity. Equity and inequality are not the same things. Go ahead. And equity means that you are helping to meet people where they are. You give them what's necessary for them to gain access, to feel better, to live a quality life. So when you understand the difference between the two, it's not a question of what you're trying to accomplish when you talk about equity. Got it. It's really meeting people where they are, giving them sufficient resources in order to move forward to live a better life. Okay. Bob, I said that this is an issue for everyone. Say someone... devil's advocate, someone says, "Listen, I got mine. I'm good. I got good healthcare. I got good coverage. I'm getting taken care of. What's this whole thing about health equity? Why is it my business that there's equity in health services for others not me?" Go ahead. Right. I think we really want to live in a free and just society where there's opportunity for all, and equity really is about this opportunity. As Elizabeth pointed out, kind of closing that gap between the least among us and those with the most resources. And how we can... how do we give everyone that opportunity for healthy, longer lives, and closing that gap? And that's something..."