Northwell Joins in Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis

Northwell Health and numerous other major healthcare systems throughout the United States have declared racism to be a public health crisis.

The 39 organizations in the national collaborative Healthcare Anchor Network (HAN),  signed a statement, Racism is a Public Health Crisis.

“As the largest health care provider in the world’s most diverse metropolitan area, Northwell has a responsibility to support the communities that entrust us with their care,” said Michael J. Dowling, president and CEO of the health system. “We are steadfast in our focus on improving health outcomes for our vulnerable and underrepresented communities that have suffered because of the prevalence of chronic disease, a problem that led to the disproportionately higher death rate among African-Americans and Latinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to using every tool at our disposal –as a provider of health care, employer, purchaser and investor – to combat disparities and ensure the equity of care that everyone deserves.”

In May, Northwell, which includes Huntington Hospital, was named the nation’s top health system for diversity by DiversityInc.

 The HAN organizations employ more than half a million people in 45 states and Washington, DC, and have committed to taking concrete action to address the impact of structural racism.

“We are committed to moving forward together. By harnessing the collective strengths of our organizations, we will help serve our communities as agents of change,” the HAN’s statement said.

Signing the statement are: Advocate Aurora Health, Alameda Health System, AMITA Health, Baystate Health, BJC HealthCare, Bon Secours Mercy Health, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, ChristianaCare, Cleveland Clinic, CommonSpirit Health, Cone Health, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, Denver Health, Einstein Healthcare Network, Franciscan Missionaries Of Our Lady Health System, Gundersen Health System, Kaiser Permanente, Lurie Children’s, M Health Fairview, Maimonides Medical Center, Mass General Brigham, Northwell Health, ProMedica, Providence St. Joseph Health, Rush University Medical Center, RWJBarnabas Health, San Mateo County Health, Seattle Children’s, Spectrum Health, The MetroHealth System, Trinity Health, UC San Francisco, UMass Memorial Health, University Hospitals, University of Utah Health, VCU Health, and Yale New Haven Health.

 

Six Join Board at Huntington Hospital

 

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