Jane Bancroft Robinson Foundation’s Post

Today, as we commemorate Juneteenth and celebrate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, it's crucial to reflect on the profound connections between history and the challenges we face today. One critical issue that resonates deeply is the persistent mistrust of the healthcare system among African Americans—a mistrust rooted in centuries of systemic injustices and disparities. Juneteenth stands as a powerful reminder of resilience and the pursuit of justice in the face of adversity. It marks the day when news of freedom finally reached enslaved African Americans in Texas, highlighting both the triumph of liberation and the enduring struggle for equality.  However, the journey towards equality in healthcare remains fraught with obstacles. The historical mistreatment and exploitation of African Americans within the healthcare system—from unethical medical experiments to denial of care during segregation—have left a legacy of mistrust that continues to shape perceptions and experiences today. For many African Americans, seeking healthcare often means navigating a system that has not always prioritized their well-being or respected their dignity.  I am proud of the Jefferson Health Healthy Communities Framework, which serves as a roadmap to advance health equity, invest in critical partnerships to create positive and sustained community transformation, cultivate and sustain an environment of belonging where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected, and create a culture of service excellence for all. We have made strides, but the work to build and maintain trust in the communities we serve is ongoing. At Jefferson, we have committed to creating a healthcare system where every individual receives dignified and equitable care regardless of background. By doing so, we honor the spirit of Juneteenth and advance toward a future where health justice is a reality for all. #juneteenth #healthequity #inclusion #diversityinhealthcare

Teach ALL of the history, not just the sanitized bits & pieces.

I was sitting in a grad school classroom the first time I heard someone say that the cause of racial health inequities is due to "genetic differences"... to imply that Black and Brown people are somehow genetically inferior. 😒 Sadly, that wasn't the first nor will it be the last time I hear this flawed argument (rooted in scientific racism and eugenics) as justification for health inequities. It happens all the time--by well-intended and well-known #healthcare and #publichealth leaders. And it begs the question: why is this the default argument so many lean on? Simple: it's because we don't know our own history. In every single opportunity I have to address a crowd, I make sure to discuss the past and present history of policies that intentionally disenfranchise BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disability communities and how they are *all* directly connected to health outcomes today. We didn't get here by chance, ya'll. That's why Black history, Native history, LGBTQ+ history and so much more must be a part of our ongoing learning as leaders in the health ecosystem. Kudos to KFF for this timeline illustrating some of the key policies and events throughout history that continue to shape racial and health inequities even today. As we continue to see in real-time--those who do not learn history, are doomed to repeat it. #healthequity

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we're highlighting some of our woman researchers who advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Meet Nadereh Pourat, PhD, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research associate center director and director of the Health Economics and Evaluation Research Program, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health professor, and adjunct professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry: "I have based my entire career on highlighting disparities in access to health care and advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) by identifying policy and systemic solutions that lead to a health care delivery system that serves everyone and leaves out no one. EDI is a personal matter to me. As an immigrant, I know what it means to be an outsider who has different values and experiences and what it takes to fight for equity and inclusion. I firmly believe that we are stronger together and there is no place in our society for discrimination, division, and exclusion. My very first independent project was to examine cultural differences in use of long-term care services. I soon came to realize that the concept of culture was conflated with race and ethnicity and I further learned that inequity and exclusion were frequently framed as cultural differences and preferences. These arguments never made sense and have inspired me to continue to examine sources of disparities and proposing solutions to eliminate them." #equity #diversity #inclusion

Speech by the Dialogue and Development Forum and Haqi Center for Rights and Freedoms at the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, as part of the general discussion of Agenda Item 9 Thursday, March 28, 2024 Dear Vice President, A few days ago, the world commemorated the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. This event has had profound and lasting effects on both enslaved individuals and affected communities. Systemic racism continues to persist worldwide, depriving people of African descent of equal opportunities and rights. In Latin America, studies have shown that in at least 18 countries, people of African descent live with a wide range of deprivations related to poverty, employment, maternal and child health, lack access to adequate housing and basic services such as safe water and sanitation. We still live in an era of systemic racism against people of African descent. While we commend efforts and progress aimed at preventing racial discrimination and improving equality for all, institutional and individual racism continues to rise in the Americas and European countries. In the United States alone, the roots of economic and medical disparities and gaps in the justice system trace back to the legacy of slavery, segregation, ongoing discrimination, and disparities that begin at birth with pregnancy-related deaths. The Dialogue and Development Forum, the Geneva International Center for Justice, and the Right to Rights and Freedoms Center call for urgent action to address the systemic racism faced by African-descent communities. We emphasize the need for practical measures to combat discrimination and improve the lives of those affected. This includes enforcing anti-discrimination laws, investing in education and healthcare, promoting economic empowerment, and strengthening accountability mechanisms. https://lnkd.in/dtUfjsHj

This article may be a difficult read for some but emphasizes the importance of understanding history to drive change in the present and future. When we sit at tables discussing #equitable and #accessible healthcare, let’s remember what got us here. Remembering our past is crucial to shaping a better future.

On Juneteenth, we honor this day of freedom while acknowledging the work that remains to create a more equal society. We commit to promoting a better, more just future for all, especially for #BIPOC Americans. Health equity is a major part of this effort. According to The Commonwealth Fund, African Americans and other minorities are more likely to: 🟡 Have higher out-of-pocket costs when they receive care 🔴 Avoid care when they need it 🟢 Incur medical debt at all income levels This Juneteenth, we reflect on the past and renew our commitment to progress. #Juneteenth #healthequity #FreedomDay #Juneteenth2024

This International Women's Day we take a moment to reflect on the continued health disparities Black women face here in California and nationally and why discussions today that center intersectionality and call out our unique experiences with healthcare are so crucial. Black women and girls still face persistent health disparities and inequities including but not limited to: - Lack of access to quality healthcare - Lack of culturally congruent care - Gross disparities in maternal and reproductive healthcare - Higher instances of chronic illness often due to social determinants - Higher rates of medical debt - Elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and isolation with inadequate access to culturally competent providers and mental health services CALIFORNIA BLACK WOMEN'S HEALTH PROJECT has dedicated 30 years to advocating for the health and well-being of Black women and girls. As we reflect on the impact Black Women have made today, we ask that you continue to uplift the importance of addressing the unique needs of Black Women, so that we too can have the quality of life we deserve. Read our Impact Report to learn more about our work! https://lnkd.in/g5UT2F9p #womenhistorymonth #internationalwomensday2024 #blackwomenshealth #blackwomenlead #cabwhp #blackhealthmatters

Dear LinkedIn Community, As we commemorate Juneteenth, we recognize the profound significance of this historic day and its alignment with our mission and values at Synergia Healthcare Group. Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, commemorates the moment in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It stands as a testament to the resilience and fortitude of African Americans throughout history. Why Juneteenth Matters for Health Equity: Health equity is not merely a moral imperative; it is a fundamental human right. Historically, people of color have faced substantial disparities in healthcare, resulting in poorer health outcomes, higher mortality rates, and diminished quality of life. At Synergia Healthcare Group, we are committed to addressing these inequities and ensuring equitable access to high-quality healthcare services, regardless of race or ethnicity.  Inspiring Action: Juneteenth serves as a call to action. Let us engage in transformative conversations, challenge inaccurate narratives, and actively work toward a more just and inclusive healthcare system. Together, we can create a future where every individual receives compassionate and respectful care. Thank you for joining us on our journey toward health equity. Let us celebrate the richness of our collective heritage and honor the invaluable contributions of African Americans to our society. Wishing you a meaningful Juneteenth! Warm regards, The Synergia Healthcare Group Team #synergiahealthcaremanagement #Juneteenth2024 #EqualityMatters #SocialJustice #CelebrateFreedom

The symbols can't lose their meaning so soon, and overuse of them for political and commercial purposes can change their true meaning over time. The same is true for the American flag, which represents the unity of our people as a group who believe in living a free life to pursue happiness and ensure the flourishing of each individual's mind and spirit without paying dues to a monarchy or strengthening the foundation of inequality. However, these days, it seems we have forgotten that there is no happiness for us as a community until every individual can pursue their fundamental rights, such as the right to healthcare, education for growth, and freedom to express their concerns about the pain they feel from the suffering of people in this nation and around the world. So, this Independence Day, I would like to invite us to think about how the unity and essence of communal success and happiness have vanished from our day-to-day lives and turned this flag into a bunch of lonely stars who are riding on their own roads and leaving others in need far behind. Therefore, I want to congratulate on this day the activists, policymakers, and individuals who are trying to keep the spirit of this flag alive by fighting inequality and tyranny that threaten our democracy, especially those who are fighting against the Roe v. Wade overturn, which has created a second class of women in US healthcare, the indifference of our current presidential candidates to the cuts in federal programs for food and housing, and our Supreme Court's decisions that have turned our president into a monarch with almost no responsibility for his personal actions before our judicial system. #independenceday #HealthCare #Equality #Healthequity #WomenHealth #Housing #socialdeterminantsofhealth #democracy