Juneteenth and Beyond: Our Commitment to Health Equity and Anti-Racism

Since 2006, Seattle Children’s has been dedicated to reducing health disparities and improving the lives of all patients, families, research participants and the community. Our mission is to prioritize equity by advocating for and facilitating the relentless work toward the recognition and elimination of health inequities for children, families and communities, through an inclusive and anti-racist framework. Our vision is that Seattle Children’s meets the unique needs of children, families and communities to achieve their optimal health and well-being.

Seattle Children’s established the Health Equity and Anti-Racism (HEAR) Council in 2021 to prioritize efforts to address systemic inequities experienced by our patients, families and workforce.

The HEAR Council holds Seattle Children’s accountable to the commitment to being an anti-racist, inclusive and equitable organization. The Council’s purpose is to support and provide additional oversight of the commitments Seattle Children’s made in the Health Equity and Anti-Racism (HEAR) Action Plan by providing a venue for leaders and teams to engage in conversation and prioritization of health equity and anti-racism. The Council uses goals, metrics and best practices to ensure equitable health outcomes, workforce experience and community impact.

At Seattle Children’s, anti-racism means that we actively identify, challenge and change the culture, structures and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism. Being anti-racist requires urgency and stamina.

Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing barriers to health including access to quality, equitable healthcare.

The Seattle Children’s Health Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan has eight outcome measures for fiscal year 2023. Learn more about Seattle Children’s commitment to heath equity and anti-racism here.