Three Priorities to Drive Health Equity Forward

As a caregiver in my family, I have seen firsthand the health care disparities that can arise depending on who your treating physician is, where you live, what insurance you have access to, the level of care you receive, and more. These factors create gaps in care that we as a society must solve for.

In 2021, AstraZeneca US introduced Accelerate Change Together (ACT) on Health Equity, transforming the way we operate to improve health outcomes. Guided by our US ACT Ambition to advance health equity for patients and employees with an emphasis on historically excluded and disenfranchised populations, teams across AstraZeneca US have implemented strategies across four key areas of transformation—science, people, community and delivery.

As we look to the future, I see three priorities we must keep at the forefront of our work:

1.???? Transform Care One Patient at a Time

?Transforming equitable care requires tailored solutions that meet the needs of individuals. No one community is a monolith. We must work together to understand their unique and evolving needs and ensure they are represented in the development and delivery of our medicines. Solving the challenges of every patient is no small feat, but we can begin by collaborating with community experts. That’s why we established the Health Equity Advisory Committee (HEAC) comprised of distinguished community leaders, academics, healthcare professionals and nonprofit executives with an exceptional level of experience in eliminating disparities in care. In collaboration with the HEAC, we are gaining a deep understanding of the health disparities underserved populations face and implementing strategies that can help transform care.

With their guidance, we’ve evolved how we support patient advocacy groups and established National Strategic Collaborations to address the unique needs of patients in our focus disease areas with a health equity lens. By investing in our partners, we are helping ensure underserved patients have access to the services and information they need in a culturally relevant way.?

Additionally, with our Cancer Community Awards, we’ve recognized and honored dozens of innovative individuals and organizations across the US over the last five years who are redefining cancer care and providing more equitable access to quality treatments and resources. When we work together as a community, we have stronger impact and greater outcomes.

2.???? Address the Social Determinants of Health

The outcome of a specific treatment pathway for a patient depends on conditions such as where they live, work, learn and play. Social determinants of health (SDoH) are factors often out of the control of individuals that can affect a wide range of health and quality of life outcomes. We know that food insecurity and the lack of access to affordable nutritious food, for example, are associated with increased risk for multiple chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, mental health disorders and other chronic diseases. Ensuring people have the opportunity to lead a healthier life requires that we acknowledge the impact these social determinants have and work in partnership with communities to address them.

Our community investments – such as our Community Solutions Challenge and AstraZeneca Foundation programs – aim to address lack of access issues and social determinants of health. By supporting community-based programming that prioritize the social, cultural and linguistic needs of historically excluded and disenfranchised populations, these efforts are working to remove barriers and solve for gaps in care to give every individual the same chance at good health.

3.???? Collaboration is Key to Driving Impact

No single party or organization will achieve health equity on its own strengths. We must invest in the implementation of strategies and collaborate with groups that can make true sustainable change for underserved populations.?

Through ACT on Health Equity, we are working with small and diverse suppliers and investing in them through our mentorship program to provide the necessary tools and resources needed to advance health equity in the industry. I believe AstraZeneca’s role is to be the organization that collaborates and convenes different parties around a table, setting the right ambition, and vision, and driving to a common goal.

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Looking Ahead to 2024

I am humbled to be appointed as the new Executive Sponsor of AstraZeneca’s ACT on Health Equity and excited to roll up my sleeves and work alongside our teams, industry colleagues and community partners to develop and implement solutions that advance health equity in the US. I look forward to more collaborations, milestones, learnings and continuing to foster healthier communities.?

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