Community Engagement in Hospital Antiracism 

The Ohio Unity Coalition, the North East Ohio Black Health Coalition, the Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competency, and the Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio are collaborating with communities and hospitals across Ohio to assure that African Americans are effectively engaged in hospital antiracism initiatives in an effort to deliver more equitable health care outcomes.

Confronting racism is an evolving process that allows people to explore and acknowledge their own explicit and implicit biases and address external and internal racism. Addressing racism is more challenging for institutions.  Health care systems like all institutions that have developed in a racist culture must address not just the diversity of staff at all levels but the implicit biases of staff and the policies and practices that perpetuate, reinforce and amplify systemic and institutional racism.

Authentic antiracism initiatives include collaboration with ground level, African American community members to design and implement antiracist initiatives and demonstrate commitment and accountability to the community. The hospital systems committed to the  work of confronting racism must engage the African American community. 

1. Hospitals in Ohio must publicly begin affirmative, antiracist initiatives within their health system.

2. Hospital health systems must engage with African American community members to design and implement antiracist initiatives and demonstrate commitment and accountability to the community. Engagement of the community will include collaboration and empowerment. (See IAP2:Spectrum of Public Participation).  

3. Actions and outcomes of the antiracist initiative will be transparent and accountable to the community.

Antiracism initiatives that authentically engage the community are a benefit for everyone.  Engaging people impacted by racism leads to more impactful solutions, creating greater health equity and healthier communities.

Share your experience with racism or racial bias in the health system and advocate for change

Join a local coalition working to eliminate racism in the health care system. Contact us at info@UHCANOhio.org