The Executive Order not only instructed VHA to advance racial equity but also to conduct an internal review and develop plans to increase opportunity and ensure equity based on sexual orientation, gender identity, minority religious beliefs and people with disabilities.
VHA provides care to a diverse population of Veterans. Our nation’s Veterans reflect all people and backgrounds within our country, including many different races, ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, genders, religions and sexualities. Different populations may experience different health outcomes depending on social or economic advantages or disadvantages. Health equity means every Veteran is valued equally and that VHA makes efforts to address avoidable inequalities and historical and contemporary injustices and eliminate health inequities. VHA partnered with Aptive to assess its current health equity operations and create recommendations to improve enterprise-wide practices.
Assessing VHA’s health equity through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens: Aptive has vast experience conducting assessments on various VHA strategic initiatives. With certified diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) subject matter experts (SMEs) and a thorough understanding of VHA’s health care system and the different interdependencies of Veteran populations and families, Aptive was uniquely positioned to assist VHA.
The team adapted a Government Accountability Office methodology to conduct a program assessment. The assessment’s purpose was to:
The assessment focused on identifying the current situation through stakeholder interviews, quality audits, qualitative and quantitative research and literature reviews. Aptive’s DEI SMEs conducted 44 virtual stakeholder interviews with VHA leaders and program offices. In addition, the team consulted seven external health systems to learn industry best practices in establishing health equity operations. Finally, the literature review of 42 health equity-centered publications helped further identify best practices.
Developing Actionable Recommendations
Once the assessment was complete, the team analyzed the results and developed initial findings. The analysis yielded themes that would inform effective and proven solutions to improve health equity, including:
These solutions were incorporated into a recommendations report and implementation plan.
With recommendations for best practices and the accompanying implementation plan, VHA had the tools to improve health equity.
VHA has a better understanding of where disparities exist across its health system and is equipped with change management methodologies to address them, including:
Through these practices and initiatives, VHA can implement health equity strategies across its medical centers, ensuring Veterans from all walks of life receive health care that reflects their individual needs.
