The time is now: Addressing health inequities in the workforce

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Equity Studies
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Employers are key health insurance providers for working Americans.
• Health inequities affect employees and their families, influenced by various stakeholders and systemic factors.
• Systemic factors include racism, bias, mistrust, health literacy, and access/affordability issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline how employers can improve health equity for their workforce.
• To identify employer strategies for addressing inequities in health benefits and outcomes.
• To highlight the role of employers in advocating for systemic change.

Main Methods:

• Commentary and analysis of stakeholder roles in health inequities.
• Examination of employer-specific opportunities using data-driven approaches.
• Illustrative example focusing on prescription medication use inequities.

Main Results:

• Employers can enhance health equity through equitable benefit design (scope, access, affordability).
• Data-driven strategies can identify and address specific inequities, such as in medication use.
• Employers can advocate for transparency, patient-centered care, and performance incentives.

Conclusions:

• Employers have a significant opportunity to drive health equity for employees and families.
• Strategic employer action, including advocacy and benefit design, is crucial for reducing health disparities.
• Further research is needed to promote best practices in employer-led health equity initiatives.