WISCONSIN — Advocate Aurora Health has joined 38 other health systems in declaring racism a public health crisis.
The organization reiterated its support of dismantling structural racism and said they're committed to reversing structural racism's negative effects on the health and wellbeing of our communities.
In a press release, Advocate Aurora Health said they "acknowledge the unconscionable toll racism has exacted on communities of color, from increased joblessness and higher rates of preventable disease to lower life expectancy, and we commit to taking specific actions to ameliorate this injustice."
In conjunction with their statement, Advocate Aurora Health pledged to:
- Hire and develop clinicians and team members who reflect and effectively treat the unique needs of each population we serve
- Hire people of color and other diverse backgrounds for leadership positions
- Lower turnover rates for people of color
- Increase investment in local certified minority- and women-owned businesses
- Combat health disparities in the communities we serve
“As the largest health care provider in Wisconsin, we must do better,” said Cristy Garcia-Thomas, Advocate Aurora Health’s chief external affairs officer. “By relying on our core values of excellence compassion and respect, we pledge to build more just and inclusive communities in which everyone has the opportunity to live well.”
The organization joined 38 other health organizations across 45 states in declaring racism a public health crisis.
