Where Are We in Advancing Equity in Healthcare?
For decades, the call for equity in healthcare has echoed through boardrooms, policy discussions, and grassroots movements alike. But where do we truly stand in 2024? The latest data from The Leverage Network’s Impact Report paints a picture of progress—albeit with unfinished business and opportunities for acceleration.
The Progress We’ve Made
According to the Impact Report, representation at the leadership level has seen an encouraging uptick. Between 2022 and 2024, the percentage of Black executives in healthcare C-suites increased by 18%, while board representation grew by 13%. These gains matter—not just symbolically, but substantively. Diverse leadership correlates with improved patient outcomes, higher innovation rates, and better financial performance.
Additionally, more health systems are adopting equity-centered care models, with 67% of hospitals now incorporating social determinants of health (SDOH) into patient assessments. This shift moves the industry beyond reactive care toward proactive, personalized interventions that address root causes like housing instability, food insecurity, and economic disparity.
The Gaps That Remain
Despite these strides, disparities persist. The Impact Report reveals that Black Americans still face 2x higher rates of maternal mortality compared to white counterparts. Similarly, Black and Hispanic populations are more likely to experience delayed diagnoses due to implicit bias and systemic barriers in healthcare access.
Moreover, funding for minority-led health initiatives remains disproportionately low. In 2023, only 6% of total healthcare venture capital funding went to Black and Latinx-founded companies, limiting the pipeline for innovation that directly serves marginalized communities.
How We Move Forward
While the numbers tell a complex story, they also serve as a roadmap for action. Here’s what healthcare leaders, policymakers, and advocates can do to keep the momentum going:
- Invest in Diverse Leadership Pipelines: The report underscores that institutions with mentorship and sponsorship programs for underrepresented talent see a 25% increase in executive retention.
- Prioritize Community-Based Care Models: Strengthening partnerships with local organizations can reduce emergency room visits by up to 30%, driving better long-term outcomes.
- Expand Digital Health Accessibility: Telehealth usage surged during the pandemic, yet rural Black communities still report 40% lower access. Bridging this gap requires targeted investments in digital literacy and broadband infrastructure.
- Hold Institutions Accountable: Transparency in reporting equity metrics should become the norm, not the exception.
A Future Within Reach
The road to true healthcare equity is neither straight nor short. But if the last few years have proven anything, it’s that progress is possible when equity is prioritized—not as an initiative, but as an imperative.
So, what’s next? We keep pushing. We keep advocating. We keep innovating. Equity in healthcare isn’t just a moral obligation—it’s a measurable, achievable goal. Let’s make it happen!
