Embedding equity in crisis preparedness and response in health systems

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted historically marginalized and minoritized communities, shedding light on the urgent need for collective action towards embedding equity into our crisis preparedness and response systems.

Designed to support health care professionals championing equity in health care organizations and their executive leadership, the Embedding Equity in Crisis Preparedness and Response in Health Systems guide is grounded in candid accounts of organizations across the country as they embed equity and racial justice during crises and share key findings they learned along the way.

To move towards health equity, we must address the systems, structures, and institutions that have historically and currently contributed to health inequities. The guide has a broad audience in mind: anyone who has a role within a health system that can influence the actions and processes in that system. However, this guide is especially critical for senior leaders (e.g., C-suite, board members) who have the power to make health equity a strategic organizational priority and to ensure sustainable resource allocation to support those leading the work.

The Embedding Equity in Crisis Preparedness and Response in Health Systems guide is structured in four parts and includes a workbook to help organizations apply learnings from the guide in their own crisis response planning.

Gather overarching recommendations for embedding equity in crisis preparedness and response for health systems along with tangible practices of how to implement equity in organizational structures.

Hear first-hand from 12 different organizations of varying sizes and patient populations who illustrate key concepts and experiences on how they have implemented equity in emergency preparedness and response.

Rooted in Dr. Camara Jones’ influential allegory of the Gardener’s Tale, organizational changemakers can harvest practical step-by-step guidance on embedding equity in crisis preparedness and response to help mitigate (and not worsen) inequities during crises.

The action planning workbook is a tool designed to help health care organizations and teams focused on emergency and crisis preparedness and response efforts assess their current state of equity and create plans for change.

Download the complete guide: Embedding Equity in Crisis Preparedness and Response in Health Systems (PDF).

This guide was created in partnership with over 30 organizations and is being disseminated in partnership with various organizations including:

• American Association of Public Health Physicians
• American College of Preventive Medicine
• American Public Health Association
• Planned Parenthood Federation of America
• For the Culture Consulting, LLC
• New York City Pandemic Response Institute
• Reproductive Health Impact

Health Equity in Organized Medicine Survey

The Health Equity in Organized Medicine Survey (HEIOM) provides insight into actions organized medicine is taking to advance health equity. Members of the AMA Federation of Medicine, comprised primarily of specialty societies and state/territorial medical associations, were surveyed in January 2023. The survey collected action insights and identified barriers and resources needed to take action.

• Read the report (PDF)

Prioritizing Equity videos

The Prioritizing Equity series illuminates how COVID-19 and other determinants of health uniquely impact marginalized communities, public health and health equity, with an eye on both short-term and long-term implication. These videos shed light on the root causes of health inequities and offer valuable lessons for racial justice and health equity from leading voices in health care.

• Watch the series