NCQA weighs in on importance of health equity

Quality health care has been historically unequal, often depending on a population’s race, culture, religion, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, geography or language. Health equity is a commitment to provide high-level care to all populations and to remove obstacles and disparities in the health care system. RI continues to prioritize health equity, as evidenced by OHIC's recent changes to its Affordability Standards, requiring health insurers to receive NCQA Health Equity Accreditation and follow guidelines for the use of demographic data. NCQA is committed to ongoing and evolving equity in health care. Following a popular training at our annual conference led by NCQA, we recently connected with NCQA's Amelia Bedri, MHSA, Senior Program Content Engineer, Product Development around their work to prioritize and support health equity.

Why is it important for health care organizations to recognize and address health equity?

There is no quality without equity, and health care organizations must understand that investing in equity is more than just a business decision—it is a moral imperative. Understanding the comprehensive needs of a patient allows them to be seen as a whole person, rather than a condition or illness. Each organization plays a unique role in addressing health equity, whether as an anchor institution, educator or health care provider. Organizations must therefore understand how they contribute to societal and structural barriers that prohibit patients from achieving optimal health outcomes.

How can training our RI primary care workforce in health equity better support patients? 

Quality health care begins by ensuring that the health care workforce understands the path to attaining an equitable health care system for all, which includes education on the past, current and future state of health care. When health care workers are aligned on the same goal, everyone will work as if they or their loved ones are on the receiving end of care. The importance of training and embedding compassion, empathy and cultural humility is key to sustaining health equity work, and allows health care professionals to place themselves in the patient’s position.

What opportunities or successes are emerging because of intentional Health Equity training and understanding by primary care teams? 

Intentional health equity work is not done in silos. Operating as a collective health care ecosystem allows all stakeholders to understand their strengths and create opportunities for cross-collaboration. Health care workers in care teams have stronger partnerships, and understand patients’ health, social, cultural and linguistic needs. By letting patients drive their goals and by taking a supportive role, care teams can strengthen trust and relationships with patients.