COVID-19 is bringing a new level of attention to the deadly effect of health inequities in our country, particularly the disparate impact on people of color, immigrants, low-wage service workers and those without access to health care.

We need to deepen a national conversation and accelerate action to address the structural problems causing these disparities. Healthcare Anchor Network members, composed of 50 hospitals and health care systems from across the country, have been focused on equitable health outcomes for communities by tackling the underlying economic and racial disparities that drive the inequities — the structural determinants of health.

The pandemic is overwhelming many of our nation’s hospitals, with others preparing for caseload peaks in their parts of the country. Many systems are responding to the urgent needs of procuring personal protective equipment and protecting at-risk employees, as well as needing to address budget deficits caused by the emergency.

Read the entire article at Health Progress.