Confront uncomfortable truths, hold ourselves accountable and serve others to build a more equitable world

In 1966, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told the Convention of the Medical Committee for Human Rights in Chicago, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhuman.”?

Nearly 60 years later, we continue to strive toward the ideals of justice and equality that Dr. King set forth.

Today, for the 32nd consecutive year, Cleveland Clinic hosted its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration , with keynote speaker Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete of all time and a dedicated advocate for maternal rights for all women.

Everyone … regardless of race, color, creed or income ... should have the opportunity to live their healthiest lives.

Unfortunately, many Americans do not experience justice in health outcomes.

Black Americans are at higher risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, asthma, pneumonia and COVID-19 … in addition to other chronic conditions. Yet, they are less likely to have health insurance to support treatment.

As a result, the life span of Black Americans is six years shorter than White Americans.?

Social determinants of health contribute to inequality. These are factors such as unemployment, poverty, housing, education, hunger and violence, in addition to discrimination.

All of this makes racism a public health issue.

The most heart-breaking example of unequal health involves children and mothers.

Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications. Black babies are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthdays.

Clearly, this is unacceptable.

Cleveland Clinic is committed to addressing these disparities. We have an obligation to take action so that every mother and child have the care they need to thrive.?

Last year, Cleveland Clinic launched the Center for Infant and Maternal Health in Cuyahoga, Lorain and Summit counties.?

Our center offers a wide range of specialty health services to support at-risk women during their pregnancies and through an infant’s first year of life.

A healthy community works together to achieve more good. Cleveland Clinic partners with First Year Cleveland, a coalition of elected officials and health leaders, to mobilize the community and reduce infant deaths.

We offer CenteringPregnancy and CenteringParenting. These programs support women through group medical appointments from pregnancy to parenting.?

Earlier this year, Cleveland Clinic Akron General became one of just four hospitals in the United States to launch TeamBirth. This collaborative model of care is designed to improve pregnancy outcomes through better communication and teamwork. Soon, it will be practiced at Hillcrest and Fairview hospitals.

Cleveland Clinic is committed to serving our patients and communities in the most impactful ways.

As the largest employer in Ohio, we have an ethical obligation to use our resources for the good of the community. Among the most important obligations is providing jobs that pay family-sustaining wages and offer health insurance coverage.

We have clear community priorities that aim to protect our most vulnerable citizens, children. Cleveland Clinic has made significant investments that address lead poisoning and hunger, in addition to infant and maternal health.

By being intentional about racial justice and health equity, our goal is to help build a community in which all people have access to the resources and care they need to thrive.

Every life has value and everyone deserves an opportunity to reach their full potential and promise.

These ideals are powerfully reflected in the work of today’s keynote speaker.

Allyson Felix is the most decorated track and field athlete of all time ... with 31 global medals at the Olympics and World Championships.

Off the track, Allyson has been even more impressive, as an advocate for maternal rights for all women.

In 2019, she wrote an op-ed in the New York Times that called for guaranteed protections for pregnant athletes and new moms. She bravely placed the issue of pregnancy discrimination in the public eye … resulting in new contracts that guarantee an athlete’s pay and bonuses for 18 months around pregnancy.

Her work on behalf of mothers and children is truly inspiring. She is making a real difference in the world and has given a voice to those who need support.

Every year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day offers us an annual reminder that we must continually strive to fulfill the ideals of justice and equality set forth by Dr. King.

May Dr. King continue to inspire each of us to confront uncomfortable truths, to serve others and to hold ourselves accountable. It takes all of us … working together … to build a better and more equitable world.

To watch the full program, click here .

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