The fourth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Health Justice Symposium, held at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and over Zoom, delved into the connection between justice and health care, as well as the role of compassion and humanity in addressing health disparities. Moderated by Dr. Medell Briggs-Malonson, an emergency medicine physician and chief of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for UCLA Health, the symposium highlighted the importance of community-driven, equity-based approaches in tackling systemic factors that hinder progress in health care.
Panelist Derek Steele, executive director of the Inglewood-based Social Justice Learning Institute, emphasized the need to remove barriers to achieving health equity, such as access to health care, fair wages, and quality education. Despite the overwhelming challenges, individuals can make a significant impact by approaching patient encounters with intention and compassion, according to Cynthia Gonzalez, PhD, an assistant professor at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.
The panelists recognized the institutional and systemic pressures that can hinder progress in health care, but stressed the importance of remaining focused on human-centered care. Dr. Briggs-Malonson urged health care providers to show love and kindness to their patients, emphasizing the potential for individual actions to drive institutional change. This sentiment was echoed by Steele, who emphasized the power of intentional actions in invoking positive societal change.
Addressing health disparities requires a top-down and bottom-up approach, combining institutional commitment with community engagement. UCLA Health, as part of the Healthcare Anchor Network, is dedicated to addressing social inequities and reducing health disparities through inclusive hiring practices and investment in under-resourced communities.
Dr. Gonzalez concluded that justice is a constant commitment, requiring ongoing effort from both individuals and institutions. This commitment to health equity and justice remains a vital aspect of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality. These efforts are in line with the historic legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose work continues to inspire the pursuit of justice and compassion in health care and beyond.
Read More Health News
