NHS Race and Health Observatory welcomes new US partnership to tackle health inequalities

  • Published: 10.06.2021

Following the announcement today by the UK government (visit GOV.UK here), the NHS Race and Health Observatory warmly welcomes the announcement of the partnership with the US Centre for Disease Control’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity.

The Observatory and US Centre for Disease Control share a commitment to improving the health prospects of black and minority ethnic communities and reducing the disproportionate impact of ethnic health disparities.

This partnership will allow both organisations to share best practice on common health challenges and forge new ties that support, address and reduce health inequalities for diverse communities.

Director of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, Dr Habib Naqvi, said:

“Addressing health inequalities is a global challenge that requires a sustained, collaborative and global response. This twinning project is therefore an excellent opportunity for the NHS Race and Health Observatory to build a mutually beneficial and strong collaboration with the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, in addressing our shared ambition of tackling health inequalities and disparities.

“We look forward to working with our partner organisation on this exciting and ground-breaking US-UK institution-to-institution relationship. It will provide an exchange framework that shares, supports and facilitates replicable good practice, expertise and practical insight for us to tackle health inequalities in our countries, and to facilitate equitable healthcare for all patients and communities.”

Chair, NHS Race and Health Observatory, Marie Gabriel, said:

The Board of the Race and Health Observatory sincerely welcomes this momentous decision on behalf of our two Governments. It will ensure a pioneering joint endeavour to share learning and joint action to address entrenched ethnic health inequalities.

“Our healthcare systems here and in the US recognise the need to address poor health outcomes impacting diverse communities to benefit individuals and future generations. The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly revealed the urgent need for more action to tackle deep-seated and longstanding ethnic inequalities, this is a great opportunity better understand and tackle these inequalities head-on.”

Read the full story here on the UK Government website.