Working Together to Improve Health Equity

Every American deserves affordable, high-quality care and health coverage regardless of health status, race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability. For years, health insurance providers have been committed to improving health equity and combating social determinants of health in our communities.

We know that ending discrimination and systemic racism is essential for an equitable health care system – but addressing discrimination alone does not fully address health equity challenges.

In honor of Black History Month, we talked with several of our most prominent and distinguished leaders in health care to learn more about how we can work together to improve health equity – and what we can learn from other health care leaders.

This is a seminal moment for racial and social justice and greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. We have an urgent mandate to reform our health care system so everyone in America has an equal opportunity to thrive and achieve their best health.

FEATURED LEADERS

Greg Deavens

President and Chief Executive Officer

Independence Blue Cross

“With the substantial amounts of data we can access, health insurance providers can use analytics to shine a light on race-based disparities in health care.”

Sylvia B. Kelly

President & CEO

Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc.

“We all know about some of the long-standing issues regarding the fear and mistrust of the health care system by Black and Brown populations. More information about the vaccines should be provided by the Federal government as part of a national COVID-19 strategy for transparency.”

John Mathewson

Chief Operating Officer

AHIP

“Our members have made it clear that they are committed to making diversity and equity a part of the overall culture of their organizations.”

Tunde Sotunde, MD, MBA, FAAP

President and CEO

Blue Cross NC

“Looking to the future, we also need to address the root of the problem: the historic under-representation of people of color in our scientific and medical communities”

Working to Advance Health Equity

Everyone deserves affordable high-quality health coverage and care regardless of the individual qualities that make us who we are, like our race, gender, disability, or health status. Health insurance providers are working to improve health equity by addressing health care disparities; removing social barriers to good health; and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

Learn more