Evaluation of Anti-Racism Practices in Health Care Settings

Diverse group of health professionals meet around a conference table

Problem

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wanted to understand the application and impact of anti-racism practices in health care settings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified racism—the system of advantages and disadvantages based on the social construct of race—as an important driver of racial disparities in health care access and outcomes. With that in mind, the CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention wanted to identify and evaluate health systems implementing anti-racism practices with the potential to reduce health disparities and improve outcomes related to heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular disease conditions.

Solution

NORC led an examination of anti-racism approaches in health systems.

In partnership with the American Hospital Association and BLKHLTH, a nonprofit that trains the health workforce on racism, we led an exploratory evaluation of anti-racism practices and initiatives in health care settings. Our goal was to increase knowledge about such efforts and highlight promising practices to dismantle racism, transform health care, improve cardiovascular health, and advance health equity by reducing disparities.

We conducted an environmental scan and evaluability assessments to identify three health care systems for evaluation. Our approach also included

Designing and implementing three rapid case study evaluations of anti-racism practices
Creating a subject matter expert panel, recruited from racially diverse backgrounds, to oversee and inform evaluation design and implementation, and ensure culturally responsive and equitable processes and procedures
Producing dissemination products that highlight anti-racism practices in health care systems

Result

Health systems have new tools to advance health equity.

Our exploratory evaluation identified five key elements for implementing anti-racism practices in health care settings (e.g., strong leadership and organizational commitment, inclusive and diverse workforce, patient and community involvement, educational campaigns and training, and comprehensive data collection and monitoring systems). Based on these findings, we developed products that summarize anti-racism practices and can be broadly disseminated. They include a practitioner’s guide that health systems can use to expand anti-racism practices.

Our study concluded in September 2024. At that time, we had submitted a manuscript highlighting important findings from the project for peer review.. Based on findings from the evaluation, NORC will develop dissemination products for the field summarizing anti-racism practices. A practitioner guide will serve as an implementation tool for health systems seeking to expand anti-racism practices. A peer reviewed manuscript will be prepared to highlight important findings from the project.