How Higher Education Can Take on Healthcare Inequities

Many urban areas face the classic tale of two cities. Large metros are rich with infrastructure to sustain and grow their economic and social capacity, while also meeting the basic needs of their residents.  Unfortunately, health equity remains a challenge, particularly in communities of color impacted by disparities in healthcare access, outcomes, and overall well-being.

National Louis University (NLU) is addressing this issue head-on, by taking a community-focused approach through the development and launching of an equity-focused Nursing program.

Despite the nation’s increasing composition of racially and ethnically diverse citizens, recent studies reveal a greater decline in life expectancy for Hispanic (decrease of 3 years) and Black (decrease of 2.9 years) groups than in non-Hispanic White groups (decrease of 1.2 years) from 2019 to 2020.

Chronic diseases such as diabetes are more prevalent among Hispanic and Black adults, and awareness of chronic diseases like breast cancer is greater among White women than it is among their Hispanic and Black counterparts. Maternal mortality rates are highest among Black women, and infant mortality rates — while declining overall since 1995 — remain highest for infants of Hispanic and Black women.

These are but a few troubling realities and reflect a broader societal quandary — much of which is rooted in social determinants of health. Social determinants of health elucidate the environmental, economic, and community conditions often associated with the disparity in healthcare outcomes for those of less affluent backgrounds and socio-economic statuses. One critical area that must be addressed to counteract this trend is access to quality health and preventative care services.

The issue of access to quality care is one of multi-faceted complexity, inclusive of:

• chronic underinvestment in communities with the greatest need for quality healthcare;
• limited preventative care and educational programs to minimize the occurrence of chronic diseases;
• fragile economic conditions contributing to unaffordability associated with obtaining and maintaining health insurance; and
• the presence of community-based healthcare providers.

These socio-economic conditions coupled with an already strained healthcare system due to a growing shortage of trained and licensed healthcare professionals, portend further complications connected to ensuring a healthier society.

Academic institutions have and can continue to play a larger role in addressing these challenges. NLU takes pride in being an institution committed to driving positive community impact through its academic programs. We partner with community and industry stakeholders to prepare students to pursue careers in what we like to refer to as the “helping professions” (education, mental and behavioral health, and now allied health).

Two years ago, NLU launched a Medical Assistant program, and we’re excited to continue our work and addressing the growing need for trained healthcare professions with the recent addition of a pre- and post-licensure Nursing program. In 2021, U.S. nursing schools turned away over 90,000 qualified applicants. These trends are all happening at a time when the Registered Nursing workforce is projected to have a staggering 193,000 openings on average for RNs over the next decade.

As we think about our role in addressing the broader issues of inequitable access to care and the shortage of healthcare professionals, doing our part to address workforce challenges and helping to shape a more equitable society is a cornerstone of our work and mission. At NLU we believe access to a quality postsecondary educational experience is one of the most viable vehicles to students achieving economic stability and preparing learners to address the social conditions plaguing the communities from which they come.

In demonstrating an unwavering commitment to addressing healthcare disparities, colleges are not only fostering a healthier and more equitable society but also nurturing a future generation of healthcare leaders dedicated to this essential cause. NLU is committed to playing a significant role in this work and looks optimistically toward improving both access and the quality of care for underserved populations.