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Black History Month 2025: Celebrating Our Progress While Protecting Health Equity

Writer's picture: Tahitia Tahitia

Black History Month 2025 arrives amid significant shifts in healthcare equity programs. One striking example is the disappearance of the Perelman School of Medicine’s Anti-Racism Committee website in fall 2024—an unsettling signal of mounting political pressures on diversity initiatives. Established in 2020, that committee was once a beacon for addressing healthcare disparities through measurable action; its abrupt removal highlights the precarious state of equity efforts in our current climate.

As a health equity consultant, I’ve noticed a parallel trend unfolding across various institutions. Within the federal government, the Defense Department’s intelligence agency halted Black History Month observances, while the State Department now limits public messages about these celebrations. Healthcare leaders regularly reach out, sharing their concerns about sustaining hard-won progress toward equitable care.

In this guide, I aim to underscore why celebrating Black History Month in healthcare remains vital, even as the policy environment shifts under the new Trump administration. Drawing on my experience, I’ll outline threats to existing equity initiatives, offer practical leadership approaches, and suggest concrete steps to preserve these essential programs at a time when they’re needed most.


Doctor in blue shirt and nurse in scrubs examining a baby with a stethoscope in a bright clinic. Baby looks curious.
Two healthcare providers examining a toddler that is seated

Black Health Equity Pioneers: Stories That Shape Our Healthcare Journey

Pioneers of health equity in medicine and nursing have shaped healthcare systems and tackled health outcome disparities. Their work is more relevant now than ever, as communities continue to grapple with persistent inequalities in access and quality of care. Learning about these trailblazers offers:

  • Historical context: Their work illuminates the long-standing challenges in healthcare and how far we’ve come.

  • Inspiration: Their stories fuel the drive to pursue equitable healthcare for all.

  • Practical strategies: By studying their methods, we can adapt what worked in the past to meet modern challenges.

  • Awareness: They remind us that disparities remain a pressing issue—and that solutions are within reach.

  • Cultural competence: Many of these pioneers came from diverse backgrounds, helping us develop more inclusive healthcare practices.

Notable pioneers include:

  • Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler: The first African American woman to earn a U.S. medical degree; she dedicated her career to underserved communities.

  • Lillian Wald: A nurse who founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York, advocating for public health nursing and immigrants’ well-being.

  • Dr. David Satcher: A former U.S. Surgeon General dedicated to eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities.

  • Mary Seacole: A British-Jamaican nurse who overcame racial prejudice to provide critical care to soldiers during the Crimean War.

  • Dr. Patricia Bath; Patented a laser cataract surgery device and set new standards for Black women in medicine.

  • Dr. James McCune Smith: The first Black American to earn a medical degree (1837) and founder of the nation’s first Black-owned pharmacy.

  • Dr. Daniel Hale Williams: Established Provident Hospital—America’s first non-segregated hospital—and performed a groundbreaking open-heart surgery in 1893.

  • Dr. Charles Drew: Revolutionized blood plasma preservation and laid the foundation for modern blood banking.


Black History Month: Building the Foundation for Health Equity

Black History Month has played a pivotal role in shaping our collective understanding of health equity. Each February, this national observance provides an opportunity to spotlight the systemic injustices Black communities have historically faced in healthcare—and to highlight the remarkable contributions of Black pioneers, past and present. By celebrating these achievements and acknowledging long-standing inequities, Black History Month has helped lay the groundwork for robust conversations about fair and accessible care, galvanizing support for institutional change.


Federal initiatives underscore how these annual reflections have translated into real-world progress. Inspired by decades of civil rights activism and continued advocacy—often amplified during Black History Month—the Office of Minority Health was established in 1986 to address disparities that disproportionately affect communities of color. Similarly, influential figures like Dr. David Satcher leveraged public attention surrounding Black History Month to champion policies aimed at eliminating racial and ethnic health gaps, culminating in landmark efforts such as Healthy People 2010.

Likewise, commemorations of Black History Month have consistently uplifted the stories of trailblazing medical leaders, motivating new generations to pursue healthcare careers. I often think of individuals like Dr. Patricia Bath, whose pioneering work in ophthalmology broke barriers for Black women in science and medicine. Her accomplishments—and the stories of so many others highlighted each February—offer powerful reminders of why robust health equity programs are vital.


How can healthcare leaders continue building on this foundation and advocating for expansion?


  • Highlight historical lessons during Black History Month: Create forums where staff and community members learn from past successes and challenges to inform present-day initiatives.

  • Support diversity in medical education pathways: Ensure that future generations of healthcare professionals reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

  • Document equity program successes: Sharing best practices internally and with peers upholds transparency and helps secure long-term commitments.

  • Forge genuine community partnerships in health education: Engage local groups in building culturally responsive care models, drawing on the momentum and visibility that Black History Month provides.


 

Health Equity Programs at a Critical Crossroads

Policy changes under the new Trump administration have rolled back many diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in healthcare. Executive orders that once broadened coverage and fostered community-based programs have been rescinded, generating concern among practitioners

DEI Policy Rollbacks Affect Healthcare

The dissolution of dedicated DEI offices makes tracking disparities nearly impossible. Staff retention also suffers: a Press Ganey survey shows that employees are twice as likely to leave organizations that sideline DEI efforts, and the risk of departure jumps fourfold when workers feel their diverse backgrounds are undervalued.

Patient Care in the Balance

Research consistently indicates that diverse healthcare teams provide more effective care, particularly for infectious disease response and HIV/AIDS prevention. Cultural competency training curbs biases affecting care quality. With Black women still experiencing disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, and hypertension and diabetes disproportionately burdening Black communities, the loss of equity programs puts patient lives at stake.

A Complex Legal Landscape

The 2023 Supreme Court ruling against race-conscious college admissions accelerated attacks on DEI. Reports suggest the Justice Department may investigate organizations that continue such programs. Healthcare leaders are caught between legal threats and the moral imperative to serve diverse communities effectively. This is particularly urgent given that minority and female patients give lower cultural competency ratings to their healthcare providers.


 

Pathways to Preserve Health Equity

Nurturing health equity is akin to tending a garden: success requires strategy, continuous care, and resilience. The State Health Equity Measure Set offers tools to measure progress in access and outcomes. Meanwhile, The Joint Commission’s 2023 standards mandate dedicated leadership roles focused on equity.

Build Enduring Programs

Solid, long-lasting equity programs resemble mighty oak trees: they have deep roots and persistent growth. They thrive on:

  • Transparent metrics and measurement across all populations

  • Robust tracking systems for care delivery

  • Protected funding for DEI initiatives

  • Strategic workforce development plans

Track Progress with Data

Secure Multiple Avenues of Funding

Elevate Community Voices


 

Black History Month 2025: A Call to Action

In the face of growing challenges to DEI, healthcare professionals can still protect and expand essential programs through decisive action. While statistics highlight the urgent need, relationships build the trust that cements real change. Stories from the field show that using robust data and nurturing diverse community partnerships creates resilient programs—even amidst strong political headwinds.


This Black History Month is more than a celebration—it’s an urgent call to preserve the legacy of health equity. Lives and livelihoods depend on sustaining the progress we’ve made and reaching new horizons. Each one of us holds the power to make a difference—whether by supporting minority-led health initiatives, sharing success stories, or creating advisory groups that amplify the voices of traditionally marginalized communities.

It’s our collective responsibility to ensure that healthcare equity continues to shine as a guiding principle well beyond 2025.


FAQs

Q1. Why is Black History Month important in healthcare?Black History Month in healthcare highlights the contributions of Black medical pioneers, underscores ongoing disparities, and inspires collective efforts toward health equity. It reminds us of both the successes achieved and the challenges we must still overcome to ensure quality care for all.

Q2. How are recent policy changes affecting healthcare equity programs?Recent policy shifts have led to the closure of some DEI offices, undermining efforts to monitor progress on health disparities. This also impacts staff morale and turnover rates, especially in organizations that de-prioritize diversity and inclusion.

Q3. What strategies can healthcare leaders use to preserve health equity initiatives?Leaders can focus on data-driven approaches, diversify funding sources, and build sustainable program structures. Standardized metrics, community engagement, and demonstrable outcomes are essential for proving the lasting value of equity work.

Q4. How does diversity in healthcare teams impact patient care?Diverse teams contribute to better clinical outcomes and improved cultural competency. This leads to more effective responses in areas like infectious diseases and reduces implicit biases in patient care.

Q5. What role does data play in maintaining health equity programs?Data is essential for validating the effectiveness of equity initiatives and attracting investment. By collecting comprehensive demographic and social determinants of health data, organizations can identify disparities, measure improvement, and secure necessary funding to continue and expand their work.


References

 – Celebrating Notable African Americans in Public Health – Black Innovators Who Shaped Future Healthcare – Health Equity Timeline (HHS) – Major Healthcare Shifts Ahead—from DEI to Drug Prices – How Anti-DEI Politics Harms Patients and Health Workers – DEI Under Threat: Workforce Risks of Project 2025 Policies – Study on Cultural Competency in Healthcare (PMC) – Measuring Health Equity at the State Level (RWJF) – The Joint Commission’s Equity Requirements – Engaging Patients & Communities to Advance Health Equity – Engaging Communities of Color to Promote Health Equity (CHCS) – CMS Framework for Health Equity – Building a Health Equity Focus into Value-Based Payment Design (CHCS) – Making Health Equity a Sustainable Business Priority (HealthScape) – Funding Opportunities for Health Justice (AAMC) – Rural Health Info on Alternative Payment Models – Planning for Sustainability (Rural Health Info)

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