A recent analysis conducted by the Lown Institute has revealed that only a handful of hospitals have made significant strides in promoting racial inclusivity, but the majority are not significantly lagging behind either. The study sheds light on how certain healthcare organizations are actively advancing health equity by tailoring their care delivery to cater to underserved communities.
The findings, which were disseminated to journalists and are part of the Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility, identify the leading hospitals in terms of racial inclusivity, characterized as “serving a higher proportion of patients from communities of color than expected.”
To arrive at these conclusions, the Lown Institute employed 2021 Medicare data to assess the representation of communities of color served by hospitals in comparison to the racial demographics of the surrounding communities in which these hospitals are located. Hospitals were deemed more racially inclusive when they treated a larger percentage of patients from diverse racial backgrounds than was proportionate to the demographics of their respective communities.
This analysis underscores the importance of healthcare organizations tailoring their services to better meet the needs of underserved and diverse communities, thus contributing to the broader goal of achieving health equity. While the study reveals that only a limited number of hospitals have excelled in this regard, it also suggests that the majority of hospitals have not significantly underperformed in promoting racial inclusivity, offering opportunities for improvement and further advancements in health equity work.
