Despite the progress made through the Affordable Care Act’s health coverage expansions, people of color and other underserved groups remain at risk of being uninsured.
As a result, they’re more likely to be poorer and less healthy than non-minority peers. In addition, they often have a harder time accessing high-quality healthcare and are more likely to be unable to afford it.
Invest in Employee Health and Wellness
Investing in employee health and wellness is a great way to show employees they’re valued. It can boost their morale and productivity and reduce costs in the long run.
Providing access to community resources for mental and physical health is also important. This helps workers deal with issues that aren’t directly related to their jobs, such as financial strain or childcare concerns.
The key is to ensure that these services are accessible to all employees, regardless of their ability to pay or other barriers. Employers can address this through onsite clinics, free screenings, and educational fairs or presentations.
Companies with a culture that promotes health and well-being can help employees become more resilient, especially in the face of sudden disruptions or crises. They can also train their workforce to flex their decision-making muscles, leading them to take up work initiatives and improve productivity.
Invest in Community Health
In addition to financial contributions, healthcare services companies like Sam Lee Prospect Medical are increasingly adding a strategic community investment approach to their toolkits. This approach complements health system activities in addressing the social determinants of health and financial contributions and can make a significant difference in health equity and outcomes.
To begin, organizations should lay the groundwork for community investment by educating their staff about the social determinants of health. They should assemble a cross-department team to ensure employees from all departments understand the importance of these issues and how they impact health outcomes.
The social determinants of health include access to food, water, jobs, housing and education, violence, and racism. The healthcare industry is a key player in reducing these disparities. Healthcare services companies have an array of assets to leverage to invest in the pursuit of health equity — land, financial resources, relationships, and expertise.
Invest in Diversity
As with other sectors, diversity in the workplace can increase employee engagement and business productivity. It can also lead to more innovative solutions, higher employee retention, and better customer service.
To address disparities in the healthcare workforce, various programs are being designed to support employees from diverse backgrounds. These programs can help employees navigate health and social services, support their access to care, improve patient outcomes, and create healthier work environments.
Investing in a diverse workforce is essential to ensuring that the healthcare industry can continue to meet the needs of all patients. While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted this issue, it’s a common problem for all industries that serve diverse populations.
In addition, proactively valuing diversity can help attract the best talent and create an environment where people can be themselves, where everyone is welcome, and where there’s a culture of belongingness and respect. It can also lead to a stronger safety culture that promotes safe and efficient patient care.
