Addressing health inequities is a complex task that requires a comprehensive strategy in addition to leadership both inside and outside the healthcare industry.
Leaders in the healthcare industry are joining forces to dismantle systemic structures that have supported a legacy of inequities that continue to negatively impact the health of Americans, especially people of color. According to the Centers for Disease Control, health inequities are reflected in differences in length of life; quality of life; rates of disease, disability, and death; severity of disease; and access to treatment. To eliminate the barriers to good health requires partnerships between organizations to address the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH.)
A National Strategy
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is taking a leadership role by announcing a national health equity strategy. As part of this initiative, BCBSA has set the goal of reducing racial disparities in maternal health by 50% in five years.
In these videos, two leading experts offer insight and perspective about how to overcome health inequities by bringing ideas and teams together from inside and outside the healthcare industry.
- Dr. Andrea Willis - senior vice president and chief medical officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
- Dr. Creshelle Nash - medical director of health equity and public programs, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Learn more about the BCBSA health equity initiative.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.