Achieving Equitable Cardiovascular Care for All: ACC Board of Trustees Health Equity Task Force Action Plan

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Health Equity Research

Background:

• Significant health inequities persist in cardiovascular disease (CVD) management, disproportionately affecting non-Hispanic African Americans in the U.S.
• Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, highlighted by the 2002 Institute of Medicine Report, underscore the need to address social determinants of health and systemic racism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the American College of Cardiology's strategic approach to achieving health equity in cardiovascular care.
• To examine multifaceted interventions and provide evidence for scalable strategies to promote equitable CVD management.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of the American College of Cardiology's strategic health equity domains.
• Examination of interventions aimed at improving patient outcomes, population health, and clinician well-being within the framework of the Quadruple Aim of Health Equity.

Main Results:

• The American College of Cardiology employs a comprehensive strategy across 6 domains: workforce inclusivity, healthcare data and tools, education, membership and partnerships, advocacy, and clinical trial diversity.
• Focus on improving patient experiences, population health, and clinician well-being while reducing costs.

Conclusions:

• Multifaceted interventions are necessary to promote health equity in cardiovascular care.
• Evidence-based, scalable strategies are essential for real-world implementation to reduce CVD disparities.