Hospitals and health systems in Utah declared systemic racism a public health crisis Jan. 12 and pledged to work together to address health inequities and disparities, The Salt Lake City Tribune reported.
"As members and leaders from Utah's healthcare organizations, we believe systemic racism is a real threat to the health of our patients, our families and our communities," begins a joint statement from healthcare organizations. There are various economic and resource inequalities in U.S. society, but "domestic tranquility, for everyone," is possible, the statement says.
The healthcare organizations, which are in Utah or operate hospitals in Utah, added that racism and discrimination must be eliminated, noting the killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans, as well as disparities brought to light during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To address COVID-19, hospitals and health systems are partnering with state and local public health officials to provide services and personal protective equipment to marginalized communities and educational programs, they said. They also are working to improve hiring programs that provide more healthcare job opportunities for people of color, and they are making efforts to invest in communities "to create jobs and rebuild strained and decimated economies," the healthcare organizations said. Additionally, they committed "to listen to our patients and colleagues of color and to learn from their experiences."
The joint statement is signed by
- Utah Hospital Association
- Highland Ridge Hospital
- Huntsman Cancer Institute
- Intermountain Healthcare
- KPC Promise Hospital of Salt Lake
- Moab Regional Hospital
- MountainStar Healthcare
- Shriners Hospitals for Children — Salt Lake City
- Steward Health Care
- The Marian Center
- University of Utah Health
- Utah Department of Health
Read the full statement here.