Racism is a public health issue.

The CDC states that “A growing body of research shows that centuries of racism in this country has had a profound and negative impact on communities of color.”  Racism is explicitly named as a key driver of inequities in healthcare settings. People from racial and ethnic minority groups experience higher rates of illness and death across many health conditions, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease, when compared to their White counterparts.  Limiting and biased practices, left unchecked, can further perpetuate avoidable health disparities, creating barriers to equitable care within and across communities.

Exploratory case studies will help identify which anti-racism practices currently implemented in health care systems are most promising.

NORC, in partnership with BLKHLTH and the American Hospital Association, is leading an exploratory evaluation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. Our shared purpose is to increase knowledge about anti-racism practices and initiatives in health systems, highlighting promising practices to dismantle racism, transform health care, improve cardiovascular health, reduce disparities, and advance health equity.

NORC will conduct an environmental scan and evaluability assessments to identify three healthcare systems to be evaluated. NORC will then design and implement rapid case study evaluations of the selected healthcare systems' anti-racism practices. An expert panel, recruited from racially diverse backgrounds, will oversee and inform the evaluation design and implementation, ensuring culturally responsive and equitable processes and procedures. Finally, NORC will produce dissemination products highlighting anti-racism practices in health care systems.