Takeaways from Healthcare Organizations on their Health Equity Journey

Over 930 organizations collaborating with the Rise to Health Coalition (RtHC) have already taken advantage of training opportunities this year and many reported having implemented various foundational activities for health equity.  

Actions such as building safe spaces for conversations about racial justice and equity through education or training modules; incorporating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training into their organizations’ foundational curriculum or onboarding training; defining health equity and outlining how it translates to the organization; and engaging with communities through mobile clinics and local events are all underway and gaining traction. 

Participants also highlighted that their organizations are making equity a strategic priority by including health equity initiatives in their company’s strategic plans and budgets; having dedicated staff to lead Health Equity and DEI work; collaborating with patient advisory boards and local community councils; and conducting community-based participatory research.  

Finding Opportunities for Improvement  

Most participants said they had already looked for opportunities for improvement within their organizations. Many are actively involved in programs to improve care quality and advance health equity by addressing health-related social needs and disparities shown by variations in quality performance. Others have developed structured data collection tools and methodologies to stratify key clinical data by race, ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI).  
 
Efforts also include developing methodologies to show disparities in inpatient outcomes such as mortality, complications, length of stay, and readmission. Some are creating health equity plans for hospital-wide facilities. One organization reported using their triannual Community Health Needs Assessments for data-driven program development and establishing health equity blueprints and dashboards. 
 

Taking Initiative with Others  

Many organizations have already begun integrating health equity into their operations but have reported challenges in coordinating initiatives across large footprints. One respondent shared that their organization’s senior management is developing Health Equity components within DEI departments and creating health equity maturity models. Other efforts include completing projects on trust-building with care teams, developing comprehensive health equity strategies, and embedding equity into organizational processes. Some also reported the adoption of non-biased hiring practices, ensuring diverse leadership, using ethical decision-making frameworks, and integrating mission-driven purposes to pursue justice for all.  

Align, Invest, and Advocate for Thriving Communities  
 
Organizations are further integrating health equity into their operations through various community initiatives. For instance, using data from the Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) to better understand health issues in their community, and exploring health outcomes using social determinants of health and health equity frameworks.  

Several organizations have also developed health equity frameworks and models to identify neighborhood factors affecting health outcomes. They use tools like the Community Resource Network software to refer patients with social needs. Dedicated teams, including social workers and community health workers, are addressing local social determinants of health (SDoH) needs. Active participation in advocacy at the policy level and formalized community engagement initiatives are also common.  

Participating teams reported involving patients and communities in clinical care, research, and community health needs assessments, and they continue to foster collaboration with local leaders and legislators to address inequities. Additionally, organizations are working on multiple community projects and partnerships to enhance advocacy and break down barriers for patients, aiming to improve health equity across their service areas.  
 
Challenges 

Familiar challenges faced in integrating health equity initiatives into organizations are the often cited financial and time constraints. Developing enterprise-wide training on racism and oppression requires input from multiple stakeholders, which is complex and time-consuming. Additionally, competing priorities, especially during budgeting and goal-setting periods, and the need to manage national and local perspectives add to the difficulty of instituting equity programs. 
 

Organizational readiness can be hindered by misinterpreting the scope of inequities and lack of leadership support. Some reported that staff time and willingness to engage in introspective work are limited, and prioritizing these initiatives amidst urgent daily demands can be challenging. The lack of standardized data collection and measurable outcomes further complicates efforts.  

Some participants shared that internal communication about equity issues needs improvement. However, organizations facilitating health equity initiatives reported that they benefit from strong leadership commitment, mission alignment, and community engagement. Buy-in from senior leadership and the integration of equity goals into mission statements and strategic plans are crucial. Active partnerships with local organizations and health departments have also helped organizations reach marginalized populations and address health disparities effectively. Moreover, those implementing structured training programs on cultural humility and the social determinants of health, or those who have set up dedicated health equity departments within their organizations, have propelled their initiatives. 

Organizations also mentioned the growing use of data-driven approaches, such as patient experience surveys and focus groups, to identify gaps and help prioritize areas for improvement. Expanded details in data reporting can highlight the strategies that work and those that need to be redesigned. The adoption of consistent electronic health record systems and technology platforms enhances data collection and feedback mechanisms.  

Needed Resources and Support 

Often leaders seek a diverse array of resources to help propel their organizations in their health equity journey. Requests for more resources and support include a desire for historical information surrounding health equity and access to national data to better understand how the organization is making an impact. Some organizations requested evidence-based training materials on health disparities and cultural competency frameworks. Others mentioned a need for collaboration with other organizations who are focused on health equity and SDoH, in addition to concrete examples of how other organizations have prioritized, and maintained this work, and proven progress.  

Participants noted that involvement with the Rise to Health Coalition has provided a solid foundation in their equity journey through networking, innovation, and problem-solving opportunities with other organizations. Additionally, they’ve appreciated how the training fosters innovation through access to a broad spectrum of resources and research. 
 

If you are developing an organizational case study on health equity improvements in your programs, please consider sharing your story with the RtHC community. Contact: info@risetohealthequity.org.