Hospitals & Health Equity: Addressing health disparities is both a moral imperative – and a patient safety and quality issue

Racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved groups receive unequal medical treatment, contributing to the myriad disparities in health outcomes that we see today. This notion is supported by a growing body of research stemming back decades.

The Joint Commission has recognized the horrible impact of health disparities in America, and the group is taking action, says Kathryn Petrovic, vice president for accreditation and certification product development at the Joint Commission. The accrediting organization launched a new health care equity certification program in 2023 that recognizes hospitals that are “making health care equity a strategic priority, and collaborating with patients, families, caregivers, and external organizations to identify and address needs that help translate equitable health care into better health outcomes,” Petrovic says.

Health Disparities podcast host Claudia Zamora speaks with Petrovic to learn more about TJC’s health equity initiatives. Petrovic also explains how resolving healthcare disparities is both a moral and ethical requirement, and a fundamental patient safety and quality of care imperative. 

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