Cedars-Sinai is taking bold steps to promote health equity through expanded funding initiatives aimed at aiding local nonprofits. Recognized as the largest non-foundation grantmaker to Los Angeles County charities by the Los Angeles Business Journal, Cedars-Sinai awarded over $27.2 million during the last fiscal year. The medical center recently brought together more than 80 grant recipients to celebrate the culmination of its multi-year Health Equity Grant Program. Organizations like L.A. Family Housing, the Venice Family Clinic, and Homeboy Industries demonstrated their commitment to improving the health and opportunities for Angelenos.
Arthur J. Ochoa, Cedars-Sinai’s senior vice president, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts: "All of these organizations represent a pivotal part of the ecosystem of services offered to our L.A. communities and are deeply committed to equitable health outcomes." The Health Equity Grant Program not only delivers funds but also focuses on building capacity among partners to efficiently tackle health disparities.
Health equity involves examining the structural barriers within the healthcare system, which Cedars-Sinai is actively addressing by forming alliances and providing shared learning opportunities. One of the standout accomplishments is the Black Birth Equity program launched by Cedars-Sinai, which provides funding to community-based organizations enhancing Black maternal and infant health. Dr. Christina Harris, the facility's vice president and chief health equity officer, expressed the center’s goal of forging partnerships to create inclusive healthcare systems.
Meanwhile, South Dakota faces enormous health barriers, particularly among its Native population, which is experiencing what is described as a 'double whammy' of health challenges. According to Damon Leader Charge of the Sanford School of Medicine, though Indian Health Service funding has increased by 68% over the past decade, it remains insufficient compared to the needs. This underfunding affects not just the health of Native people but also their cultural practices, creating disparities like life expectancy—over 11 years shorter for Native Americans than their non-Hispanic white counterparts.
Leader Charge pointed out logistical issues, noting mothers-to-be who want to use the Indian Health Service struggle with significant travel distances. "We're not having our babies within our tribal homelands," he stressed, underlining the cultural roots intended to support young families. DenYelle Kenyon, also from the University of South Dakota, reiterated the multi-layered nature of these challenges and the need to adopt solutions through the lens of health equity by considering social determinants of health.
The significance of leadership changes is also apparent. Dr. Aletha Maybank announced she will step down from her role as the AMA's inaugural Chief Health Equity Officer at the end of 2024. During her tenure, Maybank spearheaded many initiatives to tackle health disparities and increase access to care for marginalized groups. Reflecting on her experience, she expressed gratitude: "Thanks to AMA management team, the Board of Trustees, and the House of Delegates for providing the foundation on which to build and for providing coverage during moments of resistance." She is set to devote her next phase to the intersections of narrative, art, and health alongside her role as caregiver for her aging mother.
Finally, another area of concern within health equity has emerged surrounding HPV screenings, particularly for transgender men. Reported data shows significant disparity in screening rates; transmasculine individuals are 37% less likely to have undergone cervical cancer screening compared to their cisgender counterparts. Psychological and physiological barriers contribute to this gap, with issues of discomfort during traditional gynecological exams and fears of discrimination hindering access to necessary healthcare.
To combat this, research is showing promise for self-collection HPV tests. Patients can take cervicovaginal swabs for accurate screening without needing to undergo potentially distressing clinical exams. The approval of these self-collection kits by the FDA is likely to open new doors for transgender individuals seeking health equity. "An effective alternative offers options to patients who may be harmed by physician-collected testing," presented evidence suggests.
The need for equity solutions remains pressing across all spectrums of healthcare. Cedars-Sinai’s initiatives, the plight of South Dakota’s Native peoples, the legacy left by Dr. Maybank, and the adaptation to new screening methods for marginalized communities collectively stress the urgency for health equity improvements. Bridging these gaps requires coordinated efforts and lasting commitment across the healthcare system.