By Verlon E. Salley
Ten major radiology organizations have collaborated to form the Radiology Health Equity Coalition to positively impact health care equity in the radiology arena and beyond. While disparities and inequities in health care have been evident for many years, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the disproportionate numbers of people of color and rural residents in the U.S. affected by barriers to care.
The Coalition, convened by the American College of Radiology, includes the American Board of Radiology, American College of Radiology, American Medical Association Section Council on Radiology, Association of University Radiologists, National Medical Association Section on Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Radiological Society of North America, Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments, Society of Interventional Radiologists, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and American Association of Physicists in Medicine, with specialty and state radiology organizations already joining the initiative (radhealthequity.org/About-Us).
I am impressed by this website and the resources that this group has delivered thus far. On the site you will find a resource tab with articles and webinars that speak directly to how radiology is uniquely geared to addressing many opportunities of health equity. In radiology operations, we must communicate and educate our patients about the care we are to deliver. This requires radiology professionals to engage and build trust to have a high-quality output. These are the same attributes required to reduce health care disparities seen in health care today. In one particular webinar on the site, Dr. John Williams, surgical oncologist, spoke directly to radiology professionals about the disparities that exist in cancer screenings (cervical, breast, colorectal) between demographics. In his presentation, he stated that the barriers to reduce these disparities are:
- Lack of awareness or understanding
- Lack of provider recommendations
- Logistical challenges
- Fear and stigma
- Cost
Coincidentally, these are the exact day-to-day issues that are faced in radiology operations. Whether it is explaining the importance of screening mammography to a patient or trying to get administration to approve a capital request, radiology overcomes barriers. Now, more than ever, I feel that my background in radiology operations has prepared me for the job responsibilities that I have currently. As the vice president of community health equity, I seek out leaders in the marginalize communities of Birmingham, Alabama, and collaborate with them. Whether it is a religious leader, community agency leader or local government official; my objective is to raise awareness and offer solutions.
Williams’s presentation offered solutions to the five barriers mentioned above. All which he included in a report he delivered to President Joe Biden as a member of the president’s cancer committee.
- Improve and align communication
- Facilitate equitable access
- Strengthen workforce collaborations
- Create effective healthcare IT
I am asking you as an imaging leader to join me in the war against health care disparities. If you are an imaging leader, you already have the tools to reduce these barriers because of your work performance in radiology. Consider speaking with your quality committee, health equity officer and/or chief diversity officer about utilizing your skill set to help them accomplish your organization’s goals for health equity.
Verlon E. Salley is the vice president of community health equity at UAB Health System.
