Globally, many organizations are pursuing variety, fairness and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, however what that work entails varies from firm to firm. For Blue Cross and Blue Protect of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), it’s a data-focused lens we apply to attain our enterprise targets. It’s not jargon or a buzzword, however actionable work to strengthen North Carolina.
Our firm’s function is to enhance the well being and well-being of our clients and communities – we received’t cease till well being care is healthier for all. Attaining well being fairness is basically linked to our work to make well being care higher for all.
In different phrases, we would like all North Carolinians to have the chance to be wholesome.
We don’t have that… but. Nationally, North Carolina’s total well being constantly ranks within the backside third of U.S. states. Regardless that we now have among the prime hospitals within the nation and our state homes analysis hubs and universities that assist drive our nation’s medical innovation, in 2020 we ranked 36 of fifty states. Whereas many North Carolinians obtain high-quality well being care, we’re guided by the assumption that all North Carolinians ought to.
Our DEI-driven work reduces among the most dangerous and expensive disparities in well being outcomes.
An evolving strategy
We’ve understood the significance of and want for devoted DEI work for greater than 15 years. However we, like so many organizations, took a extra severe stock of our approaches and outcomes in the summertime of 2020.
Our strategy, led by our CEO Tunde Sotunde, MD, MBA, FAAP, advanced to a brand new degree of intentionality. Our work has expanded wider and dug deeper, drawing enter from each division all through our firm. Somewhat than leaving a single DEI workplace or division to function in isolation, we arrange a DEI Council to offer oversight, management and strategic alignment for enterprise-wide initiatives that advance variety, fairness and inclusion.