Health Equity
Health Equity
Each year, Providence serves more than 6 million people of every walk of life. We value each member of our diverse communities for their identities, journeys and experiences. And we commit to doing the personal and institutional work needed to live the values of Providence, which call us to welcome all and serve one another with respect and dignity.
At Providence, we recognize that long-standing inequities have led to health disparities.
We are investing $50 million over five years to support health equity. This is just the beginning.
We’ve served nearly half a million individuals over the past year from marginalized communities.
Achieving health equity for all
Our vision, Health for a Better World, is driven by a belief that health is a human right. Every person deserves the chance to live their healthiest life.
At Providence, we recognize that long-standing inequities and systemic injustices exist in the world. This has led to health disparities among communities that have been marginalized because of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or socioeconomic status.
Each year, we serve more than 6 million people of every walk of life. We value each member of our diverse communities for their identities, journeys and experiences. And we commit to doing the personal and institutional work needed to live the values of Providence, which call us to welcome all and serve one another with respect and dignity. Our investment of $50 million to reduce health disparities and achieve health equity is just the beginning
We pledge to:
- Build, strengthen and maintain relationships with our diverse communities, including people of color, indigenous people, those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and others experiencing inequities, oppression and discrimination
- Listen to and partner with our patients, communities and health plan members to understand and actively reduce structural, racial and cultural barriers to health for all
- Partner with community organizations to develop data-informed health equity strategies and implement proven practices to resolve the root causes of health disparities
- Amplify the voices of all identities impacted by oppression. Advocate to reform the drivers of health, social and economic disparities. And in keeping with our faith tradition, use our voice to speak out against the structural racism and injustice that has led to a public health crisis
- Prevent further harm, humbly welcome discussion and feedback, and foster a culture of continuous learning and transparency
This is our commitment to every patient and community we serve. We ask you to join us on our quest to champion and deliver Health for a Better World.
Change begins with us
At Providence, we recognize that inequity persists in nearly every major facet of society. That includes in health care and the social determinants of health. And the consequences are often deadly, leading to higher mortality and morbidity rates for communities of color and marginalized populations. Toward that end:
- We have updated our integrated strategic and financial plan to more clearly express our commitment to reducing health disparities, resource inequities and improving the social factors that affect health.
- We are investing $50 million over five years to improve health equity in our communities. Our health equity strategic plan and interventions are informed by advanced data analytics and the health priorities identified with our local community partners and care teams.
- Our regional operations have developed strategic plans and interventions to measurably reduce health disparities and advance integrated solutions to address health equity at the local level.
- As part of this work, we developed a comprehensive pandemic response to address the needs of people disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. This includes prioritizing at-risk groups for testing, treatment and vaccinations.
- Listening to and learning from people in our communities about the impacts of health disparities, structural barriers and community priorities are key components of this work.
Read our news release about our health equity investment.
Read a Providence-led study on disparities in COVID-19 infections.
Advancing health equity one person at a time
As social unrest has erupted across the nation and with disparities in COVID-19 on full display, Providence has responded to the signs of the times by committing $50 million to health equity over five years. We have also formally integrated this work as a top priority in its strategic plan.
Over the past year, Providence’s health equity work has focused on underserved communities most impacted by the pandemic. Providence has prioritized equitable vaccine deployment, data-informed approaches, program evaluation and sustainability, inclusive language in the electronic medical record, and provider education. Providence has also advanced non-COVID focused programs and initiatives supported by learning collaboratives to accelerate change.
Though we still have a ways to go, we have made significant strides over the past year. Providence also released a health equity statement, developed by caregivers from across the Providence family of organizations. The statement articulates a world where every person has the chance to live their healthiest life. It also outlines five commitments that we pledge to deliver to every patient and every community we serve.