Employers can help raise the bar for reproductive health equity

The United States spends more on health care than other high-income countries, but our health care system is failing us. Not only are our health outcomes relatively poor, but they are also deeply inequitable, undermining our collective future.
From the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe, to our worsening maternal health crisis that disproportionately hurts Black and other birthing people of color, to the attacks on health care for transgender people, our health care system does not guarantee equity based on gender and gender identity. The adverse implications of large segments of the population lacking access to high-quality and affordable health care extend far beyond individuals and their families. This is a structural problem that threatens the social and economic fabric of our country.
Twenty years ago, the Institute of Medicine published Unequal Treatment, a groundbreaking report documenting extensive racial and ethnic health disparities in the United States and offering recommendations to solve them. But even as our nation–and our workforce—is more diverse than ever, we haven’t managed to ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to grow healthy and thrive. We must do better, and we can if we put all hands on deck.
Employers especially have a unique opportunity not only to make a difference in the lives of their employees by supporting their health and wellbeing, but also to advocate for change within their sector and beyond. Employers can use their influence to help drive policy changes to make our health care system more efficient, equitable, and able to achieve the highest quality standards. (author introduction) #P4HEwebinarOctober2024