HAN member Providence St. Joseph Health announced a new commitment of $50 million over the next five years to reduce health disparities and achieve health equity, beginning with an immediate response to the impact of COVID-19, particularly for communities of color and those disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The health system published a recent study, which found that African Americans, Asians, and Latinos had a higher risk of COVID-19 infection, as well as people with housing issues living in low-income neighborhoods. Recommendations include supporting affordable housing such as the health system’s Housing is Health initiative.
“A crucial component of this effort is listening to and partnering with our communities to understand the structural and cultural barriers at the local level,” said President and CEO Rod Hochman, M.D. “Providence believes that health is a human right, and therefore we are committed to ensuring everyone in our communities has an equal chance to achieve health.”