The importance of championing Black health

Health and racial inequalities have long existed in the US and we’ve seen firsthand how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the Black community. In fact, the alarming data we see around broader Black health in the US, while disturbing should not be surprising because it is indicative and a direct outcome of the systemic issues we face as a community. When communities have been historically and continually disregarded, the outcomes are inevitable. 

At Pfizer, we recognize that the health and wellbeing of Black people living in America goes beyond access to our medicines and vaccines—the private sector has an important role to play in helping tackle the root causes. As co-chair of Pfizer’s Multicultural Center of Excellence (MCoE), my team and I are focused on helping improve health equity for historically disregarded groups facing significant health and social disparities in the US.

We’re doing some of this through our MCoE partnerships and investments, including donations to nonprofits that are addressing social determinants of health and social justice issues. Our goal is to be a changemaker in these areas, in part, by financially supporting organizations tackling root cause issues that create sustainable social impact.

This year I’m so proud to share that we have created a new Pfizer Foundation* Social Determinants of Health Grant Program, which funded 10 organizations working to advance health equity and strengthen health systems for Black/African Americans in the US. In addition, Pfizer Inc. has made new donations to two organizations: Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and NAACP. The donation to EJI will support the organization in its continued mission to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and address racial bias in the criminal justice system. The donation to the NAACP Next Generation (NEXTGEN) young professional leadership program will help equip and empower the next generation of young African American civil rights leaders.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines social determinants of health as conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health and quality-of-life-risks and outcomes. The work of the 10 new Social Determinants of Health grantees will help to improve conditions that often lead to higher rates of chronic disease and increased risk for COVID-19.

Some examples of the projects supported this year include:

• 100 Black Men of America will introduce the Health Care 2.0 initiative which will train local champions to implement health education and the healthcare empowerment programs to build awareness around COVID-19 prevention strategies and address chronic metabolic diseases.
• Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health will focus on cardiovascular health in Brooklyn, NY through an awareness and education program partnering with stylists and barbers to provide culturally appropriate health information and resources in places where the community gathers.
• Black Women’s Health Imperative, the only national organization dedicated to improving the health and wellness of African American women, will develop a chronic disease prevention program that will provide coaching to young African American women and create a community focused on improving health through educational materials and digital tools.

To learn more about these new partnerships, please visit.

*The Pfizer Foundation is a charitable organization established by Pfizer Inc. It is a separate legal entity from Pfizer Inc. with distinct legal restrictions.