"Research?shows that diversity in the physician workforce improves outcomes for populations who have been marginalized: underrepresented physicians are more likely to?practice in underserved areas." Love this article published by the RWJF on why it's critical that, as healthcare organizations, we're not only thinking about how we can support diverse populations but the diverse care teams serving them. In our own programs that focus on safety net clinics, we consistently see higher rates of racially diverse providers than statewide averages, with 35% identifying as a minority and 30% reporting at least one social determinant of health. Our takeaway? The care teams of safety net populations are demographically reflective of the patients they serve. Which means if we want to keep these women in the workforce, we need to be attuned to their unique challenges and work proactively to deliver programs that meet their needs. Because, as Lauren Smith shares: When we embrace diversity, everyone benefits. #healthequity #socialdeterminantsofhealth #diversityinleadership
Imagine walking into a hospital or clinic where doctors, nurses, and public health professionals of every race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, and background are providing culturally sensitive and inclusive care. Ensuring our healthcare workforce mirrors the diversity of our nation is essential to our work at RWJF as we focus on dismantling structural racism and other forms of oppression that are barriers to health and wellbeing.??? ? In my first blog post since joining the Foundation, I share why diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the health professions is critical to paving the way together toward a future where health is no longer a privilege for some, but a right for all. Research shows that physicians from historically marginalized communities are more likely to work in underserved areas and can improve important patient outcomes, like infant mortality rates. Studies also show that efforts to address racial inequities, such as those in maternal health, improve the health of patients of all races, ethnicities and backgrounds. As I’ve seen firsthand in my career, when we embrace diversity, everyone benefits.? ? That’s why RWJF’s Leadership for Better Health portfolio is increasing its investments toward a diverse healthcare workforce by 60 percent over the next three years. As we go all in on our commitment to DEI, we will take a systems change approach by investing in academic institutions that have made significant contributions to diversifying the health professions. We will also support groups of institutional change leaders and champions both within and outside academic healthcare settings who are dismantling racism in academic admissions and health professional training.?? ? Read more about RWJF’s new strategy to foster a diverse healthcare workforce: https://rwjf.ws/KucWsI??? ? #HealthEquity #DiversityInHealthcare #StructuralRacism #LeadershipForBetterHealth? ?