Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s Post

🚫 Today Marks Zero Discrimination Day! Today, we unite in the fight against discrimination in all its manifestations, highlighting the paramount importance of inclusivity and equality within healthcare. Discrimination in healthcare environments not only infringes upon fundamental human rights but also obstructs individuals from accessing essential medical services, culminating in health outcome disparities. 🩺 It's imperative that we ensure every individual, irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, or socio-economic status, receives empathetic and comprehensive healthcare services. This commitment is crucial for realizing universal health coverage. How You Can Contribute?🤔 🤝 Promote policies that guarantee healthcare services are accessible and equitable for everyone. 📘 Elevate awareness regarding the ramifications of discrimination in healthcare and the necessity of fostering a supportive atmosphere for both patients and healthcare professionals. 🌟 Motivate healthcare institutions to adopt and adhere to non-discriminatory policies and procedures. 🗣️ Raise Your Voice Against Discrimination! Your advocacy can drive transformation. Engaging in dialogues about healthcare equality propels us towards a future where discrimination leaves no one behind. Let's dedicate ourselves to transforming healthcare into a sanctuary of safety and welcome for all. #PHVsolutions #ZeroDiscriminationDay #HealthcareForAll #EqualityInHealthcare

Everyone deserves comprehensive healthcare, free from discrimination. This #pridemonth, take some time to learn more about finding LGBTQI+ inclusive providers for yourself or others: https://lnkd.in/gwW5ZRg9 Also, learn how healthcare providers can better understand this population to provide more inclusive, LGBTQI+ specific, culturally competent care: https://lnkd.in/et6CZ5WX #LGBTQIHealth

Today is IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia). MPHN's LGBTQIA+ 🌈 Health Needs Assessment sheds light on challenges faced by this community in accessing healthcare. The report highlights a lack of safe and inclusive services, leading to delayed or avoided care due to fear of discrimination. Let's spark a conversation, share this report, and work towards creating a more inclusive healthcare environment for everyone. Read the report 👉 https://lnkd.in/guaqzKV5

How a provider addresses a patient matters. It signifies respect and it can be a deciding factor for whether a trans, nonbinary, or gender-diverse patient feels safe in coming to that provider's office for care. Using preferred pronouns on any intake or patient forms, preferred name, or simply listening openly to the patient to make sure they feel heard and understood can have a profound impact. Learn more about Spectrum's mission and our stance on inclusive healthcare at https://lnkd.in/d3EawffZ #lgbtqhealth #healthequity #transhealthcare

Everyone deserves equal access to quality healthcare, regardless of their race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status. Let's stand together on Zero Discrimination Day and advocate for health equity worldwide. Read more on: https://lnkd.in/g4iSHVxT #pennhealth #ZeroDiscrimination #HealthEquity #InclusiveHealthcare #medicalscribing #medicaldocumentation

A new rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) codifies nondiscrimination protections for many marginalized populations, prohibiting federally funded health programs from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex: "The rule was proposed by HHS in 2022, in part to update health care nondiscrimination protections to reflect the decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which confirmed that LGBTQI+ people should be protected from discrimination...At a time when access to medical care and bodily autonomy is under attack, these updated protections are crucial." - Cait Smith, director of LGBTQI+ Policy at American Progress Read More: https://lnkd.in/e2fNXvDb #healthcare #healthequity The Outcomes Architect

This past week I’ve heard senior NHS and Systems Leaders as well as decision and policy makers state, “we treat everyone equally” Shockingly, they don’t understand the difference between equality and equity‼️🤷🏽♀️ There are some *core skills* that are necessary for any leader in the NHS. We now wonder why racial health inequity exists in our NHS. Narrowing the disproportionate ethnic health inequity gap requires more than *equal* treatment. It demands fair allocation and distribution of resources based on need. #NHS #Equality #Equity #HealthEquity #HealthEquality #HealthInequity #HealthInequality

Your organisation may be equal but that doesn’t mean it’s equitable - it’s important to understand the difference. The graphic used in Evelyn Mensah’s post below illustrates the difference between equality and equity really well. I also like the explanation provided by Susan K Gardner, of Oregon State University: "Equality is giving everyone a shoe. Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits." Unlike countries like South Africa and Canada which specifically reference equity (seeking to correct disadvantages for women and indigenous groups), workplace legislation in the UK has traditionally focussed on equal treatment with no mention of equity. As long as an employer treats everyone equally, offering the same resources and opportunities to all, that should (in most cases) be sufficient. With the exception of disability, there is no clear legal obligation to consider individual needs and difficulties. However, things are changing. There is pressure on employers to do more for workers going through the menopause, who are neurodivergent, who want flexible working from day one; and to get more minority ethnic and female talent into senior leadership positions. All of these require a focus on equity rather than equality i.e. removing the barriers for and addressing the needs of specific groups/individuals to enable them to progress and succeed rather than treating everyone as if they were the same. It’s definitely not an easy ask. However, after nearly 14 years of the Equality Act, it’s doubtful whether a focus on equality alone will be enough to achieve tangible and meaningful change in our workplaces. If you'd be interested in finding out more and seeing what an equity impact assessment could look like for your organisation, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

As a advocate for health equity, I firmly believe that access to healthcare and treatment should be a fundamental right, not a privilege. This visual provides a great representation of the difference between "equality" and "equity" and when applied to with a health equity lens, I can think of many examples of how much work needs to be done. By recognizing and addressing the social determinants of health, we can dismantle barriers and create inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. From advocating for culturally competent care to implementing outreach programs in underserved communities, I am committed to driving tangible change. #HealthEquity #AccessToCare #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #HealthcareAdvocacy #InclusiveHealthcare #CommunityEngagement

Gender-affirming care is suicide prevention. Gender-affirming care saves lives. Gender-affirming care is healthcare.