The Health Equity in the Workforce Leadership Summit, hosted by the American Heart Association, brought together representatives from various local businesses. The primary goal of the summit was to facilitate the sharing of information among different companies and help leaders gain a better understanding of the diverse needs of their employees.
Speakers at the summit discussed the distinction between equity and equality and how both play a significant role in healthcare. Tiffany Gholston, board chair of the American Heart Association of the Triangle, highlighted that many employers have good intentions but may not know where to start when addressing health equity in the workplace.
Notable companies such as Deloitte, IBM, Lenovo, and Advanced Auto Parts had representatives present at the event. Additionally, faculty members from Duke University and North Carolina State University were in attendance to discuss challenges faced by recent graduates entering the local workforce.
Gholston emphasized that healthcare should not be approached with a one-size-fits-all mentality, especially considering that employees spend a significant amount of time at work. The American Heart Association aims to provide employers with the necessary tools and resources to support their employees’ health equity effectively.
Looking ahead, Gholston expressed hope that this summit would serve as a platform for ongoing communication and action, ensuring that employees have access to appropriate resources they need. As
