Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

ANCHORING EQUITY: Health Equity, Justice, and the Enduring Legacy of Black History Month

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By Walae Hayek and Izzy Lopes

MHA’s Anchoring Equity blog series profiles the work of our members and partners as they work to advance health equity, diversity, and inclusion in their organizations and in their communities.  

At MHA, health equity is at the core of our work. Our health equity agenda seeks to address the longstanding systemic inequities in our communities, with the goal of eliminating housing instability, food insecurity, and environmental harm. This approach is grounded in the practice that public health and healthcare systems have the tools to achieve health equity by focusing on the communities most effected by systemic inequities

Significant challenges remain within our work to advance health justice. Policies that limit access to care and neglect the upstream effects of social determinants of health are perpetuating inequities, exacerbating barriers, and further impeding progress. However, MHA’s member hospitals and health systems continue their daily efforts to provide care and advocate for reforms that expand access and ensure justice in healthcare. Their dedication is a powerful example of how consistent, purposeful action can lead to meaningful change.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” However, both history and the present moment reveal that this arc does not bend on its own. Black History Month presents an opportunity to reflect on and reframe this quote:

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but WE must bend it toward justice.”

Justice demands more than passive hope; it requires intentional, persistent, collective action. Therefore, it is our duty to actively shape this arc, guiding it toward justice and equity. The work of bending the arc is already happening, and our healthcare organizations are on the front lines, leading transformative initiatives that serve as models of commitment to these ideals.

Lawrence General Hospital‘s mobile health van

For instance, Lawrence General Hospital operates a mobile health van, traveling throughout the Merrimack Valley to provide blood pressure screenings, health education, and connections to primary care. This initiative directly addresses health disparities and brings vital services to underserved communities.

Berkshire Health Systems’ Men’s Health Coalition uses culturally relevant education and engaging activities to share health messages, fostering community through dialogue and strengthened social networks. This grassroots approach is creating a space for open conversation and tackling health disparities head-on.

Boston Medical Center’s Health Equity Accelerator is another shining example. Through initiatives like Equity in Pregnancy and Equity in Diabetes, the system is advancing health justice for people of color. The accelerator’s work is not only addressing immediate health needs but also driving economic mobility in disinvested communities.

These efforts exemplify how healthcare institutions, as community pillars, are actively bending the arc toward justice. As we reflect on Dr. King’s words, we are reminded that the work is far from done — and it is up to all of us to continue this fight. The initiatives happening within our hospitals and health systems are evidence that, through collaboration and commitment, we can create lasting change.