It is crucial for boards to be educated on health equity. Firstly, boards should establish a clear definition of health equity within their organizations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health equity is defined as the state where every person has an equal opportunity to reach their full health potential without being disadvantaged due to their social position or other socially determined circumstances.
A board can establish a health equity committee or include health equity discussions as part of an existing committee, such as quality or governance, to structure itself. According to the AHA Governance Report, more freestanding hospital boards and system assistant boards discussed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the full board level, while system boards discussed DEI in a committee. The organization can choose any of these structures, but it is important for the full board to receive regular updates.
Externally, the board should prioritize the development and strengthening of community partnerships. Collaborating with the local community presents opportunities to recruit board members, potentially expand the workforce, share resources, and gain a better understanding of the populations being served. Therefore, having a strategy in place to foster such partnerships is essential.
