Why Minority Health Is Everybody’s Responsibility

As I wrote in an article commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, I believe that health care is the most critical battleground in this new era of the civil rights movement. We cannot pursue social justice without addressing the persistent health disparities that minority populations continue to experience. Nobody should struggle to achieve their desired health outcomes simply because of their race or ethnicity. For the Black mothers who are dying in childbirth at alarmingly high rates, for the American Indian/Alaska Native people who are dramatically more likely to suffer from mental health crises, for the Hispanic workers who often lack health insurance and whose jobs present unacceptable risks to their health, the pursuit of health equity is absolutely the right thing to do.

It is also the smart thing to do – for all people. According to research from Deloitte, health inequities in the United States cost an estimated $320 billion every year. If these costs continue to escalate, it could overwhelm the health insurance industry, forcing some providers to close their doors and restricting how others deliver care to their patients. Especially after what was a difficult financial year for many hospitals and health care systems across the nation in 2022, due in part to ongoing expenses caused by the pandemic, our industry cannot afford to incur more avoidable costs.

Health disparities make health care more expensive and less effective for everyone. During Minority Health Month, we are called to recognize that these disparities are both an individual and a societal issue, and it is our responsibility as health care organizations to address this problem on both levels.

At Kaiser Permanente, we treat all our members equally – however, that does not mean that we treat them all the same. While each member has equal access to our affordable, high-quality health care and services, the way we deliver care may differ from patient to patient based on their individual needs, health histories, and life situation. To determine what our members need, we believe it is vital to understand who they are and where they come from while we learn about their medical concerns.

Minority Health Month reminds us each year that we should never assume that we understand a patient fully based solely on their race or ethnicity or community. Instead, we must acknowledge that a member’s demographic information is often a factor in their total health.

When a member walks through our doors in need of care, we cannot simply address their symptoms and ignore their circumstances. We must take the time to understand the social determinants that are impacting their health. It is also critical that we determine whether they have the means to access care, either by use of transportation for in-person appointments or the internet for virtual visits. We also must learn whether they have a safe home to return to after they leave our care. Achieving good health will be nearly impossible without these basic needs.

The work we do to support and strengthen our communities is just as vital as our efforts on behalf of individual patients within our medical centers. These two branches of our work in the health care industry support and reinforce each other.

Health equity is crucial for our society. It is an essential front in the fight for social justice, and it is vital for the long-term sustainability of the health care industry and our national economy. While this cause is everybody’s responsibility, health care organizations must lead the way by improving patient care and working to revitalize our communities.