A female Asian doctor and a male Black doctor smile and talk as they walk outside on a sunny day

Off the Charts: Examining the Health Equity Emergency

A health equity podcast that gets to the point

We’re proud to present Off the Charts: Examining the Health Equity Emergency. This diversity and inclusion podcast asks candid questions about what equity means for health care. Join hosts Kari Haley, MD, and Steven Jackson, MD – plus leading guest experts – as they:

  • Dig into social determinants of health
  • Examine the past, present and future impact of disparities within health care
  • Talk about ways to help yourself, friends and neighbors take action, create change and find better health

Through open dialogue and conversations, we’re helping expand the definition of healthy communities.

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Our focus on reducing disparities led to a partnership with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. A gap in care with our Somali patient population was discovered after reviewing numbers for colorectal and breast cancer screenings, pediatric immunizations and diabetes. Two HealthPartners colleagues, family nurse practitioner Munira MaalimIsaq and senior project manager Greg Fedio, share how the Equity Action Lab project helped assess and better understand the gaps and determine steps for changes.

HealthPartners created myGenetics, a community health research program in partnership with Helix, because DNA can tell people about their health and may hold the key to understanding certain health risk factors.

Deenya Craig, a HealthPartners patient with a family history of cancer, started having irregular mammograms in her mid-30s and knew DNA testing existed. Through myGenetics, she found out she carries the BRCA2 gene mutation that brings a greater risk of breast and ovarian cancers. She’s now a health advocate and encouraged her family to get checked.

Kari Haley, MD, is an emergency medicine doctor at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. She’s also an assistant medical director for Regions EMS. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Dr. Haley believes better health care for everyone is only possible when all patients see themselves represented, heard and affirmed.

Steven Jackson, MD, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor – and the medical director of patient experience – at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Committed to ensuring every patient receives the care they need, Dr. Jackson believes cultural humility and a shared curiosity about our differences are key to building stronger communities.

More about equity, inclusion and anti-racism at HealthPartners

Being welcome, included and valued is a basic human need and essential to health and well-being. It’s why eliminating inequities is key to building healthy communities.