This episode explores the pervasive issue of medical debt in the United States and how it disproportionately impacts communities of color and low-income patients. Our guests share how their organizations reduce medical debt through different but complementary approaches—one by buying and abolishing debt in bulk, and the other by helping patients access hospital charity care. We discuss why hospital financial assistance programs are hard to navigate, the systemic flaws that create medical debt, and how both nonprofits advocate for more equitable, patient-centered solutions

This episode examines the evolving healthcare needs of the LGBTQ+ community and the challenges health systems face in delivering affirming, high-quality care. With nearly 8% of the U.S. population—and one in five Gen Z adults—identifying as LGBTQ+, the need for inclusive, trauma-informed care is more urgent than ever. We discuss the impact of recent executive orders, the growing visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals—especially among Gen Z—and what providers must do to address disparities, improve mental health support, and create safer, more responsive healthcare environments for all LGBTQ+ patients.

In this episode of Centering Health Equity, Lupe Alonso-Diaz, President and CEO of Physicians for a Healthy California, and Dr. Reggie Tucker-Seeley, the Principal of Health Equity Strategies and Solutions, unpack the results of the 2024 California’s Chief Health Equity Officers Study. This research was commissioned by the California Health Care Foundation and it’s the first to review this role within a health system and their unique experiences in advancing health equity. Join us as we break down the study’s findings and share actionable strategies for those who lead health equity initiatives. 

This episode highlights two new online platforms to support the mental health needs of children and young adults in California. We explore the depth of mental health challenges that are often particularly challenging among marginalized communities and how the use of online apps can reduce these behavioral health inequities. We feature two programs that are supported by CalHOPE in partnership with the California Mental Health Services Association. Learn more at https://solunaapp.com and https://www.hellobrightline.com or at https://www.centeringhealthequity.com

In this episode of Centering Health Equity, we speak with Dr. Sheldon Fields, President of the National Black Nurses Association, and Dr. Tina Loarte-Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce about the unique role nurses have in advancing health equity. We discuss the importance of patient centered care, addressing health inequities at the system level, and the key opportunities nurses have to promote health equity. Both of our guests highlight the difficult challenges the nursing profession faces as a whole and share further challenges that nurses from marginalized groups can face. 

One of the most significant health inequities in the nation is in the number of Black and Latinos with diabetes and the complications that happen when this condition is poorly managed. Our show looks at the many factors that contribute to diabetic amputations--one of the most life altering challenges a patient can face if they do not get the care they need or cannot sustain their treatment. In this episode we speak to Dr. Michael Sobolevsky, a Specialty Physician at the University Health, Texas Diabetes Institute and Dr. Francisco Prieto, a member of the board of directors for the American Diabetes Association.

In this episode of Centering Health Equity, we are joined by Dr. Bryan Buckley, Director of Health Equity Initiatives at the National Committee for Quality Assurance and Assistant Professor at Georgetown School of Medicine We discuss how medical schools are working to develop a curriculum for health equity and the impact this has in the effort to improve health outcomes for all. Dr. Buckley shares how students are responding to the health equity curriculum and what the implications may be for residency programs throughout the nation’s health systems.

Geoffrey Roche, SVP of National Health Care Practice & Workforce Partnerships at Core Education PBC and Dr. Angelita Howard, Dean for Online Programs and Extended Programs at Morehouse School of Medicine, joined us to discuss the new skills and competencies that will be expected of frontline staff who register patients, support their care, and coordinate their care plan. This episode of Centering Health Equity first highlights the specific curriculum relevant to health professionals who play a role in advancing health equity, and the training for a wide range of health care professionals that is being impacted by the growing focus on reducing health inequities.  

Ashlei Spivey, Executive Director at IBeBlackGirl, and Stacey Penny, Senior Project Director at the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality, join us to discuss the key challenges black mothers face while pregnant and birthing. They share the work they are each doing to help improve health outcomes for black birthing people and women of color as well as some of the programs and initiatives that have been implemented to bring more awareness to and address the maternal health crisis in America.  The show features a number of programs and initiatives that can support a health system's efforts to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Our show notes are available at www.centerhealthequity.com with references to the many programs mentioned in our conversation.

Dr. Italo Brown, and Dr. Stephanie Brown discussed the use of Health Equity Rounds as an important didactic approach to understanding the role social determinants can play in medicine.  Dr. Italo Brown has introduced SPACE as a model for conducting the rounds — Share, Probe, Acknowledge, Connect, Engage.  Dr. Stephanie Brown shares her experience at Sutter Health in a pilot project that introduced this model to providers in the Labor and Delivery department at Sutter Health’s Berkeley site.  They explore the value of using “case based learning” in medicine to introduce the difficult conversation about bias of all kinds and bring a deeper understanding of the context of the challenge providers may face to address their own unconscious biases.   

About our guests: Dr. Italo Brown is a board certified Emergency Physician and Assistant Professor in Emergency Medicine, and Health Equity & Social Justice Curriculum Thread Lead at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Stephanie Brown is an board certified Emergency Physician at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, California and Clinical Lead at Sutter Health’s Institute for Advancing Health Equity.