We are part of the problem: the role of children’s hospitals in addressing health inequity

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ABSTRACT

Racism is an ongoing public health crisis that undermines health equity for all children in hospitals across our nation. The presence and impact of institutionalized racism contributes to health inequity and is under described in the medical literature. In this review, we focus on key interdependent areas to foster inclusion, diversity, and equity in Children’s Hospitals, including 1) promotion of workforce diversity 2) provision of anti-racist, equitable hospital patient care, and 3) prioritization of academic scholarship focused on health equity research, quality improvement, medical education, and advocacy. We discuss the implications for clinical and academic practice.

Plain Language Summary: Racism in Children’s Hospitals harms children. We as health-care providers and hospital systems are part of the problem. We reviewed the literature for the best ways to foster inclusion, diversity, and equity in hospitals. Hospitals can be leaders in improving child health equity by supporting a more diverse workforce, providing anti-racist patient care, and prioritizing health equity scholarship.

KEYWORDS:

• Child health
• justice
• equity
• racism
• anti-racism
• inclusion
• diversity
• hospital medicine
• pediatrics
• healthcare workforce

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Drs. Angelo Giardino, Tiffany Glasgow, Jill Sweney, and David Chaulk for their review of this manuscript.

Disclosure of financial/other conflicts of interest

The contents of and opinions expressed in this review paper are those of the authors, and it was the decision of the authors to submit the manuscript for publication. The authors have no relevant financial or other conflicts of interest. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for the production of this manuscript.