Advancing Health Equity: The Racial Wealth Gap

The racial wealth gap between Black and white Americans has remained persistently steady since 1970, with Black Households owning just one-eighth of the wealth of white households. This disparity directly affects access to care, affordable housing, healthy food, education and other factors, leading to lower life expectancies and worse health outcomes for people of color.

In this episode, Crystal Tyler, PhD, MPH, chief health officer of Rhia Ventures, and Pamela Johnson, vice president of health equity and partnerships at the American Heart Association, discuss how the racial wealth gap and other historical factors have led to significant differences in access to healthcare, education, nutrition and other social determinants of health. They also emphasize the need for cross-industry collaboration and sustainable investment in community-centered solutions, as well as the role of innovation in improving health outcomes for people of color.

Learn more about Rhia Ventures.
Learn more about the American Heart Association's health equity efforts.

About Advancing Health Equity
MATTER’s Advancing Health Equity podcast series focuses on unpacking the complexities of health inequities impacting the healthcare system and the health and well-being of individuals and their communities. These 20-30 minute interview-style sessions are meant to take quick dives into critical areas of health equity and answer questions like:

• What does health equity mean today?
• Where do current gaps exist in the various areas of healthcare?
• Where do we see intersections in care?
• How can technology and innovation be leveraged strategically to positively make a change?

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