CPO Conversations: On advancing health equity

I’d like to invite you to pause reflect on a few simple, yet profound, questions: What does diversity, equity and inclusion mean to you? What does it look like in your life? Are these just buzzwords? Trendy concepts that live in social media posts or a workplace slogan or do these words represent something much deeper in your life and in your practice?Last fall I attended the Canadian Nurses Association’s (CNA) Anti-Racism Summit, where I was introduced to the concept of performative benevolence. This is when your words speak louder than your actions. Think about that. It’s when you say the right things and optically it looks good, so you get the checkmark in the box, but that’s where it ends. There’s no action. This is a very heavy and layered topic, and we’re not going to be able to unpack it all in a blog post, but we don’t have to. The journey of self-reflection, learning, unlearning and inspired action is ongoing for all of us. Being committed to diversity, equity and inclusion means that we create safe spaces to talk about these important issues and we constantly engage in self-examination to understand our privilege and our biases. Health inequities and the pharmacist’s roleWhen we talk about health equity, we must first recognize the disparities that exist within our communities—disparities rooted in social determinants of health. Factors such as income, education, housing and systemic racism significantly impact the health outcomes of marginalized populations.As pharmacists, we are often the first point of contact to the healthcare system for many patients. Pharmacies are found in almost every community, both urban and rural, and this unique position allows us to bridge gaps in access, especially for underserved populations. But accessibility alone is not enough. To advance health equity, we must actively engage with and work to remove the structural barriers that perpetuate inequities.Time for another question!When you leave your home, do you think about how the world is going to receive you? Do you worry about being judged or discriminated against because of the colour of your skin or your gender? If the answer is no, then you have privilege—and it’s something you didn’t necessarily do anything to earn. It’s a privilege that has come from you merely operating in an environment that was designed for people the look like you or that share a similar identity to you. Unfortunately, all of us, whether we realize it or not (that’s the unconscious part) have likely helped maintain some of the inherently racist and biased concepts in health care that currently exist . . .. Concepts that are continuing to support health disparity for our patients to this day. Take for example, our clinical training as healthcare providers. When we were taught to identify signs of infection, we look for “redness” and swelling. The reference to “redness” is a description that assumes the person is fair skinned. The same is true for algorithms and protocols that are built with a limited understanding of gender. These examples underscore how our health systems were designed for a narrow demographic of the population, often to the exclusion of others. And this isn’t just an oversight; the system is not broken. Sadly, the system is working the way it was designed. And the reality is that it’s been designed for people who are white and cis-gendered. I know that’s an uncomfortable truth for many to read/accept, but it’s true and it impacts the lived reality for many people (at least here in Canada). That’s why we need to actively and collectively work to disrupt and dismantle the system and to rebuild it to be more inclusive. Culturally competent care and advocacyWe must prioritize culturally competent care—care that includes understanding and respecting diverse health beliefs, practices and needs. This is how trust is built. And trust is the foundation for stronger patient-provider relationships and, ultimately, for better health.It’s about being intentional and integrating our awareness of the social determinants of health into everyday practice, because we know that health outcomes are poorer for people of colour and those who are gender diverse.But care alone is not enough. Pharmacists must also step into the role of advocates by amplifying the voices of underrepresented populations. As a pharmacy community, we all have a shared responsibility to implement practices that are grounded in social justice and employ equity principles. Actionable steps: Building an inclusive futureSo how do we move forward? Here are a few actionable steps we can all take:Self-examination: Reflect on your own biases and privilege. This understanding is the first step toward empathy.Ongoing education: Commit to learning more about other cultures, health inequities, and systemic barriers. This curiosity fosters understanding.Open-mindedness and courage: Engage in uncomfortable but necessary conversations with compassion and humility.Community engagement: Talk to your patients and partner with local organizations to address health disparities. Expose yourself to environments that foster diversity.Collaboration: Work closely with other health professionals to create a multidisciplinary approach to health equity.Finally, I’d like to end with insight from our Indigenous community that has resonated deeply with me in my own journey. The Indigenous peoples have Seven Sacred Teachings: love, respect, courage, honesty, humility, wisdom and truth. These principles remind us that advancing health equity is not just about systems and policies—it’s about how we show up as individuals how we connect to our shared humanity, every single day.When you return to your workplaces, I encourage you to think about the actionable ways you can contribute to equitable care. It’s not about fixing everything at once; it’s about making a difference one patient at a time. Together, I truly believe we can fortify the impact of pharmacists in Canada, advancing not just health care but health equity for all.

CPO Conversations: On advancing health equity

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