Racial inequities present a longstanding and serious health challenge in the U.S. It’s well known that African American patients face a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, a shorter life expectancy, and many other health consequences. And while many more white patients have died from COVID-19, the age-adjusted rate of death has been at least twice as high among Black and Latino patients compared to white patients.

What is behind those inequities? In an engaging and thought-provoking keynote at yesterday’s AORN’s Virtual Expo, Dr. David Williams said that disparities in income, education level, and family wealth do not tell the whole story. Dr. Williams, the Norman Professor of Public Health and Chair, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, provided data showing that discrimination, and living in segregated, low-socioeconomic communities contribute to poor health.

“Racism, leading to segregation, has produced a truly rigged system affecting healthcare,” Dr. Williams said. The result is a shortage of primary care providers as well as specialists, reduced ability to refer patients to specialty care, and delays in care.

What can be done? He described scientific evidence showing that providing healthier living environments can lead to better health outcomes. And on an individual level, providers who display cultural competence—listening, communicating effectively, and showing respect for patients – can improve care.

He concluded, “Nurses need to be prepared to bridge medical and social needs of patients, take care of their own mental and physical health so that they can care for others, and advocate for policies that address poverty, racism and other conditions that stand in the way of health and wellbeing.”

He also mentioned a report from the National Academy of Medicine: The Future of Nursing 2020-2030, which Dr. Williams co-chaired, calling for:

• Expanding the scope of practice to allow all nurses to practice to the full extent of their training
• Taking a new look at pay models to increase the value of community and public health nursing
• Diversifying the nursing workforce
• Recruiting, supporting, and mentoring nursing school faculty and students from diverse backgrounds

If you couldn’t catch Dr. William’s session, the recording will be available in the on-demand library starting Aug. 10 through Sept. 24.