Thirteen Southeastern Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems have collectively committed to anti-racism and addressing healthcare disparities.
The partnership recognizes the responsibility that hospitals have for the safety and health of their community, healthcare leaders across the country are heeding the call to eradicate racism and evaluate the role that systemic racism has had in the healthcare industry.
The partnership letter of commitment was signed by the following health institutions: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Crozer Keystone, Doylestown Health, Einstein Healthcare Network, GVH Grand View Health, Holy Redeemer, Jefferson, Main Line Health, Penn Medicine, Prime Healthcare, Temple Health, Tower Health and Trinity Health.
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“Racism is a healthcare issue. We cannot address socioeconomic factors that are barriers to healthcare access, like trust in healthcare providers, income, transportation, education and housing, without acknowledging that systemic racism has caused these issues to be more prevalent in communities of color. If we are truly committed to the health of our patients and neighbors, we must work together to ensure that no one is overlooked, dismissed or undeserved simply because of the color of their skin,” the group said in its letter of commitment.
The collaboration is the latest in Main Line Health’s ongoing commitment to Diversity, Respect & Inclusion, an initiative that was formally launched in 2012.
“Racism is a public health issue. This collective partnership is not just about doing the right thing; it is about understanding how systemic racism has prevented communities of color from accessing the care they need and ensuring that we put processes and policies in place to prevent that from continuing,” says Jack Lynch,FACHE, President & CEO of Main Line Health.
By pledging their support to this commitment, participating hospitals and health systems have agreed to address these health disparities. Additionally, each participant has committed to fostering diverse, inclusive environments by hiring and promoting leaders of color, establishing relationships with community partners to address chronic health conditions, improving access to primary and specialty care, and increasing the collection of data to understand and ultimately better meet, the health needs of our patients and community.
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