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Op-Ed: Stop With the Empty Statements on Race

— Action plans go much further to drive meaningful change

MedpageToday
A large George Floyd mural on the side of a building in downtown Portland, OR.

We are coming upon the 1-year anniversary of George Floyd's death. Sadly, there were many prior cases similar in context and, unfortunately, outcome. But with the pandemic as the backdrop, Floyd's death sparked a plethora of protests and public statements.

Without doing a robust data analysis, it is safe to say there was a spike in the number of organizational public statements made regarding racism, Black Lives Matter, and discrimination since that time. In addition to public statements, some of the largest companies in America to initiatives and groups fighting racism and advancing social justice.

The real question is, what outcomes have we achieved from these statements and pledges?

Public attitudes toward company statements on racism are . Some remain skeptical because for many corporations that have previously espoused their views on racism, their track record of limited action to the bold words in their statements.

Within the healthcare industry, at the time of Floyd's death we were also experiencing profound disparities in the impact of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality on communities of color. Like corporate America, many healthcare organizations published statements against racism. There were renewed calls to address health disparities and promote health equity. Numerous influential and banded together to commit to improvements and hundreds of healthcare organizations, states, counties, and cities began declaring .

But again, the real question is, what outcomes have we achieved from these statements, calls for action, and declarations?

Statements Plus Protests Don't Equal Change

We are several magnitudes short of producing meaningful change. Even with the fervor of focus on COVID-19 disparities, we've seen tremendous disparities in vaccine equity between racial and ethnic groups.

Like many of you, we are frustrated. We know there is no one solution and this will require concerted determination and effort. And now, we believe more than ever that public statements are not only insufficient, but not necessary.

We humbly ask, without any disrespect to healthcare organizations, if you are thinking about issuing a public statement on a social issue, please don't without an action plan.

A public statement in itself without a corresponding action plan doesn't achieve results. Take the time you would have spent writing the statement, and instead issue an action plan:

1. Your action plan should have specific dates, measures, and goals.

2. Post your detailed action plan on your website.

3. Be transparent on your website about your current steps to address the issue, and the results.

4. Update your progress publicly at least annually.

While it is easier to critique than to execute, is much more important than words.

Is There Harm With Public Declarations?

For some, the statement is the action. It may make the leaders and those in the organization feel good, and it sends a message within and outside an organization. But meaningful results take much more than a statement. Imagine if every corporation and healthcare organization that published a statement last year also published a measurable, time-specified action plan. Imagine what results could have been achieved by now, almost a year later.

We do not mean to deemphasize the successes and positive work that is producing results across the healthcare industry. We recognize that many organizations are making important progress in addressing health disparities – and this work should be promoted, spread, and accelerated at a rapid pace. There are many to from and people to speak to. This is so important when we, like many of you, also work in organizations that have a ways to go to reduce disparities between our patients, and to increase the diversity of our leadership.

So, instead of issuing a statement in response to current and future social issues, get your team together, assess your current performance, identify your gaps, set a target, establish a plan, allocate appropriate resources, engage community and business partners, and most importantly, take action! Move with agility to make the improvement we wish to see.

Maulik S. Joshi, DrPH, serves as the president and CEO for Meritus Health. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in the department of health management and policy.

Deneen M. Richmond, MHA, RN, is president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. She is also an adjunct professor at The George Washington University and recipient of the Milken School of Public Health Excellence in Teaching Masters Level Online Award.