Insight: Health Equity Through The Eyes Of a Nurse

I think that health equity is achievable, but it's going to take all of us to do so: Looking at socioeconomic disadvantages, recognizing health disparities, and tackling those things head on; Talking to policy makers, government officials, having open-minded leaders that seek out the opinions of nurses and really just value their voices. Healthcare is a human right and we definitely need a healthcare system that will benefit every single person who seeks care. - Amy Staley

In this edition of Insights , we explore the vital topic of health equity and the pivotal role nurses play in achieving it. Our interview with Amy Staley , a Clinical Nurse Manager at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital , sheds light on the challenges nurses faced during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, and how they overcame them through unity and support. Amy is a strong believer that health equity is achievable, but it requires us to address socioeconomic disadvantages and disparities.

• Amy's advocacy extends beyond her role at New York Presbyterian Hospital. She is also an advocate for pregnant teens in foster care, an Immunization Champion, a Global Health Advocate, and the Co-chair of the Nursing Now Challengers Committee, America’s Region.

The big picture: Healthcare is a fundamental human right, and everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their full health potential, irrespective of their social or economic status. Addressing health equity requires acknowledging and addressing social determinants of health such as income, education, and race that can influence health outcomes.

Why it matters: As one of the most trusted professionals in the US, nurses are often the first point of contact for patients, making them an important part of achieving health equity.

How to achieve that: Using their voices to advocate for their patients and become public storytellers to raise awareness about health disparities. By sharing patients' stories and the impact of disparities on their lives, nurses can help drive change and promote preventative care.

The bottom line: Our discussion with Amy Staley highlights the importance of health advocacy and the crucial role that nurses play in advancing health equity. As clinicians, we must recognize and address disparities to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve good health. By collaborating with other clinicians and policymakers, we can address social determinants of health and work towards a healthcare system that benefits every person seeking care.

Go deeper: Watch the full Interview HERE .

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