President's Message

Jeannine Taylor

WLALA President 2023-2024

President's Message, March 2024

“"Inclusive Healthcare: The Time is Now.”

 

The intersection of Black History Month and Women’s HerStory Month is an ideal opportunity to contemplate how we address disparities in healthcare that are impacted by visible factors, such as race, gender identity and pigment; as well as less visible social determinants of health, such as housing, transportation, and communal support. As a healthcare leader, I have a first-hand view of the disparities in healthcare that plague our system, and believe our community holds a shared ethical obligation to ensure the provision of equitable care to all patient populations. This message explores the symbiotic relationship between health equity initiatives and inclusive practices that can transform patient outcomes.

  1. LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equity Initiatives: Implementing initiatives that address the unique healthcare needs of the LGBTQ+ community fosters inclusivity, promotes a supportive environment for patients, and has the added benefit of mitigating legal risks associated with discriminatory practices. Healthcare providers who are dedicated to creating this safe space can seek recognition as an “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” to publicly identify their commitment to creating a safe and supportive healthcare environment. https://news.keckmedicine.org/keck-medicine-of-usc-receives-lgbtq-healthcare-equality-leader-designation/
  2. Gender-Affirming Care Programs: Comprehensive gender-affirming care programs align with ethical principles and provide a legal shield against claims of inadequate or discriminatory care for transgender individuals. In states like California, where the value of gender-affirming care is recognized, legal risks related to gender-based discrimination are significantly reduced through the establishment of inclusive care practices.
  3. Community Partnerships and Social Determinants: By actively participating in initiatives that tackle issues like housing instability, food insecurity, and lack of access to education, healthcare entities demonstrate a commitment to mitigating root causes of health disparities, thereby reducing legal exposure. Consider a patient who’s facing housing insecurity and struggling in an environment with poor living conditions. This individual may be exposed to environmental pollutants, struggle with access to nutritious food, and experience heightened stress levels due to unstable housing. These social determinants significantly impact health outcomes, potentially leading to respiratory issues, nutritional deficiencies, and mental health challenges.
  4. Cultural Competence Training: Investing in cultural competence training for healthcare staff is a preventive legal measure. By ensuring that providers understand and respect diverse cultural backgrounds, institutions decrease the likelihood of misunderstandings or discriminatory practices that could lead to lower quality clinical care.
  5. Inclusive Device Testing: Research has reinforced the critical need for inclusivity in the development and testing of medical technology; specifically, the need to include people of color and women, who have historically been excluded or underrepresented. This need was exemplified by a retroactive review that revealed how pulse oximeters, which measure oxygen levels in the blood, can provide inaccurate readings that overestimate oxygen saturation in patients with darker skin, in comparison to those with lighter skin. These readings were among the measures relied on to guide access to respiratory treatment during the height of Covid-19 and is suspected to account for some of the health disparities experienced by Black and Brown patients during the pandemic. http://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=61481d31-777d-4ed2-8329-e9503b692d86

 

Health equity initiatives are not just moral imperatives; they increase precision in health outcomes by creating a more robust presentation of each patient. As legal landscapes evolve to prioritize equity, the time is now for our community to demand that institutions to embrace inclusive practices that foster a healthcare environment where every individual receives dignified and equitable care.

In your service,

Jeannine Taylor
President, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Statements

Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law

Congratulations to WLALA Past President Stacy Horth-Neubert on her new role as Executive Director of Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law!  The Center protects victims of domestic violence and improves the well-being of children living in poverty. With the help of volunteers, the Center provides free family law assistance and legal education to the poor.  WLALA proudly supports Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law, which strives to empower people in need and assure them meaningful access to the courts.