How we’re Addressing Health Equity during the Pandemic

Last month I shared our pledge on equity and how we intend to move forward with our $50 million investment to reduce health disparities. It’s a critical effort on the part of the organization and one that means a lot to me personally.

I have long fought for a more equitable health care system and our commitment to create momentum and progress in this area will take time and considerable resources. And while we understand the fight will not be won overnight it’s equally important we share our efforts and progress along the way, both to hold ourselves accountable and to demonstrate momentum and broaden awareness.

No disparity in health has been more apparent over the last year than the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on historically and currently underserved populations. From the early days of the pandemic, these communities faced a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations, all while facing increased barriers to access testing and vaccinations.

In response, our health equity work continues to focus on how we can better serve these communities, using every tool at our disposal: data to inform our priorities, ensuring inclusive language in every interaction, and prioritizing equitable vaccine deployment. Our caregivers at Providence answer the call daily, and truly make a difference where it matters most.

I’m proud to say our efforts have reached nearly half a million people over the course of the last year.

Specifically:

·??????We’ve provided an additional 31,561 COVID tests and 47,129 COVID vaccines for underserved communities.

·??????We’ve provided 158,110 COVID kits to individuals in need and connected 76,826 people from underserved communities to the care they need.

·??????We’ve also made partnering with community-based organizations part of our core strategy, partnering with more than 500 to bring our resources directly into these communities. This work includes partnering with faith-based organizations to bring vaccinations directly to their communities, and made testing more accessible.

There is, of course, plenty of work still to do. In part, the disparities we have seen during the pandemic is yet another example of how tightly social and economic inequities are tied to health. These are big, ingrained problems we’re trying to address. But despite how large the task at hand may feel, I’m encouraged by the energy our caregivers have for the mission and for the real, tangible progress we’re able to show along the way. I’m looking forward to sharing more progress soon.