Post by Kaiser Permanente

#Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is an opportunity to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to equity. Equity in health care is central to who we are and how we care for our patients and members. It’s always been part of our mission — making sure the care we provide is not only high-quality, but also compassionate, respectful, and accessible to everyone we serve. Health inequities are still very real for Black patients. Research shows that Black men and women experience higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, lower screening rates for cancer and heart disease, and significantly higher maternal and infant mortality rates. They are also more likely to have unmet social needs and are less likely to have stable housing, nutritious food, or reliable transportation. These differences highlight the need for proactive, preventive, and culturally informed care to support better health and longer life expectancy for all.