US Health Organizations statement on DEI

Five US healthcare organizations (American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Pharmacists Assocaition, Braylock for His Kingdon Consulting / Release Heaven on Earth, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, and American Pharmacists Association - Academy of Student Phamracists) have released a joint position statement encouraging racial diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all areas of health care, including regulatory boards, the workforce, education, and patient care.  The statement outlines the following recommendations for enhancing DEI at all levels of health care:

1. "Implement and support policies and programs that eliminate financial barriers that inhibit students who are Black, Indigenous, or members of other racial minority groups from entering and participating in health care professional opportunities, such as pursuing degrees. 

2. Incorporate DEI concepts addressing social determinants of health, unconscious bias, antiracism, health disparities, and cultural competence into health care professional curricula. as well as in continuing professional education requirements. 

3. Develop policies that facilitate mentorship programs for students and new professionals who are Black, Indigenous, or members of other racial minority groups. 

4. Implement programs to educate learners from pre-college students through new professionals about their opportunities to work in health care fields and serve on state regulatory boards with the goal of increasing racial and ethnic DEI. 

5. Review state laws, rules, and policies that address the regulation of health care disciplines for the presence of racial disparities, bias, and barriers with the goal of eliminating structural racism.  

6. Collect and document data measuring the representation of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color on health care regulatory boards and in the workforce, as well as members’ attitudes about DEI topics. Measure and document all such information over time to show trends. 

7. Review, measure, and document data on potential racial and ethnic disparities in the reporting of complaints and disciplinary actions handled by health care regulatory boards. 

8. Partner with health care and regulatory organizations established to address DEI issues in order to strengthen the work already happening."

Read the full statement