Philanthropy to Promote Health Equity and Access to Care
Kaiser Permanente plans to distribute $8million to fund grassroots organizations focusing on increasing access to care, healthcare equity and social determinants of health.
In June 2020 Kaiser Permanente announced its commitment to promoting health equity with an additional $25 million. As the largest nonprofit health system in the nation, the efforts to further quality of care, access to care, and targeted health systems improvement for marginalized communities are priorities. Kaiser will meet its commitment through funding that fuel the good work being done on the ground.
We’ve written about health equity in the past, but to clarify why it’s important, Greg Adamns, CEO of Kaiser Permanente states: “As we reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., I hope Kaiser Permanente is one of many voices plainly saying that there is much, much work still to be done to realize Dr. King's ideal of an equitable society that guarantees every individual the opportunity to thrive.” (Nelson, 2021) The goal of the funding is to break the cycle of poverty traps and negative health outcomes for communities of color, low income communities, the elderly and other marginalized groups that are left out of the health system.
How will this happen? How can we move toward a more equitable healthcare system? It starts with large organizations setting the priorities and making their intentions known. Kaiser’s funding will go to 40 established organizations at a national, regional and community level, that are led by people of color. (Nelson, 2021) The organizations focus on racial and social justice issues, specifically addressing systemic racism that has become institutionalized and continues to create adverse outcomes for people of color, young and old.
One such organization is PolicyLink that focuses on investigating racial inequity and scaling solutions and strategies through advocacy and action. PolicyLink focuses on housing, water, climate and racial equity in corporate settings. The CEO of PolicyLink, Michael McAfee stated, “Our partnership with Kaiser Permanente will support creating anti-racist practices and policies inside the organization, within Kaiser Permanente's vast network, and in the broader society. This project will help to ensure that all people in America — particularly those who face the burdens of structural racism — participate in a just society, live in a healthy community of opportunity, and prosper in an equitable economy.” (Nelson, 2021)
In light of what’s taken place with the Pandemic unequally impacting communities throughout the United States, the issues of racial equity in healthcare are brought to the forefront of policy issues. The United States faces glaring racial disparities in healthcare, for example Black women are more likely to die from complications with childbirth or pregnancy than their White peers, presenting one of the worst maternal health disparities in the developed world. (Nelson, 2020) Covid-19 is not the first health crisis to impact communities of color, they have been continually impacted throughout time, it’s just that many of us are only now paying attention.
Recognizing these trends and having large, reputable organizations like Kaiser Permanente, PolicyLink and many others, step out and declare their priorities in the areas of racial inequality and justice is a great step in the right direction. Continuing to press these issues and create awareness will force policy makers and industry to respond. Addressing these issues will improve healthcare for everyone, no matter your skin color.
Source: https://patientengagementhit.com/news/kaiser-grants-8m-to-promote-racial-health-equity-care-access