This Hub page includes information to help our members and the public stay informed on this very important issue, with a goal of providing in-depth analysis that furthers conversations necessary to facilitate change. It contains recent selected materials. AHLA members who have subscriber access to The Health Law Archive can search for older and more extensive materials here.

For public resources, access the CDC's Website on Racism and Health.

Special Edition of AHLA's Journal of Health and Life Sciences Law

Emerging Issues in Health Equity in the United States: Legal, Legislative, and Policy Perspectives
This special edition of AHLA's Journal of Health and Life Sciences Law seeks to advance public discourse on emerging issues in health equity for the benefit of AHLA members, the public, academia, and decision makers in both the legislative and executive branches of government. The articles provide in-depth and balanced treatment of issues related to the overarching theme of health equity, such as the disparate adverse impact of health policy or research on communities of color; the history and reasons why the U.S. health care system has reached the current state of affairs of health inequity; social and environmental justice issues and their impact on delivery of health care; and potential legal liability regarding the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The articles also offer workable, effective strategies for meaningful, positive changes in our health care system during a time of widespread disruption propelled by racial, social, political, environmental, and economic turmoil and inequity exacerbated by a global pandemic.

Equity in Health Care and Health Law Practice

From AHLA's Fundamentals of Health Law 2022: Health Equity in Action

In this recording of a live session that took place during Fundamentals of Health Law 2022, L. Kate Mitchell, John A. Rich, and Asha B. Scielzo discuss a framework for health, health equity, and health justice; the role of social determinants of health; key drivers of health inequity, including structural discrimination; the impact of law and policy on health equity; addressing racism and advocating for health justice; interdisciplinary collaboration, including medical-legal partnerships; health system strategy; and partnering for healthy communities. Watch the video recording.

From AHLA's Health Law Week 2022: Innovative Legal Strategies for Health Systems and Partners to Improve Community Health Outcomes

In this recording of a live session that took place during Health Law Week 2022, Asha Scielzo, Director of the Health Law and Policy Program at American University Washington College of Law and AHLA Board member, speaks with Sarah de Guia, Chief Executive Officer of ChangeLab Solutions. They discuss the intersection between structural discrimination and health inequities and explore innovative legal strategies and best practices for health systems, providers, and policymakers to improve community health outcomes. Watch the video recording.

From AHLA's 2022 Women's Forum: Walking the Walk – Creating, Implementing, and Adapting DE&I Programs in the Corporate and Law Firm Setting

Despite achieving an all time- record of women running businesses on the Fortune 500 in 2021, there is much work to be done in achieving parity in the corporate and law firm setting. This panel will discuss creating, implementing, and adapting DE&I programs in the corporate and law firm setting, specifically: creating a DE&I Program, including through drafting a strategic plan; implementing a DE&I Program, including converting the action items in the Strategic Plan into action, ensuring retention and development/promotions through inclusion, sponsorship, and mentorship; adapting a DE&I Program, including defining a successful DE&I Program and the timeframe for determining “success”; and challenges to DE&I programs in a remote/hybrid working environment. Watch the video recording.

Conversations with Health Law Leaders

David S. Cade, Executive Vice President and CEO of AHLA, sat down with prominent health law leaders on May 25, 2021 to discuss how we, as a community, can improve equity in health care and health law practice. These interview excerpts and full interviews are now available. 

Convener on Racial Disparities in Health Care

AHLA hosted a one-day virtual convener on April 12, 2021 where participants discussed all aspects of health disparities and equity in health care, social determinants of health, the impact of law on these issues, and what can be done to address these issues now and in the future.

AHLA conveners are nonpartisan roundtables that provide a neutral forum for the frank and candid exchange of views and analyses among approximately 10-15 thought leader experts, in addition to session moderators. While the convener was closed to the public, the video recording is now available so that AHLA members and the public will reap the benefit of listening to the robust discussion.

Special Book Excerpt

Disparities in Health Care: The Pandemic’s Lessons for Health Lawyers
From the 2021 edition of Health Law Watch, this chapter analyzes the following key developments that the authors predict will affect equitable access to health care in the United States: The ongoing pandemic response and the disparate access to U.S. health care systems that it reveals; the ongoing expansion of Medicaid eligibility under the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the breadth of exceptions to federal requirements granted to state Medicaid programs; the continuing evolution in publicly-funded health insurance toward payment models that reward positive health outcomes (and punish poor ones); and the ongoing debate over federal law preventing discrimination in health care eligibility and delivery of care.