Approaching the end of 2020, two of the most pressing concerns facing the country are the long-standing issue of racial discrimination and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The issues have merged with the pandemic taking a disproportionate health and economic toll on people of color. As vaccines become available, prioritizing racial equity will become increasingly important for mitigating these disparities and preventing further widening of the going forward, especially as early polling indicates that people of color are more hesitant to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

KFF and the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Satcher Health Leadership Institute held an interactive web briefing on Friday, December 11, to discuss addressing systemic racial discrimination in the health care system and meeting the moment to earn trust among individuals and communities as COVID-19 vaccines come to market.

Welcome and Initial Remarks

• KFF President and CEO Drew Altman, PhD
• Founding Director and Senior Advisor of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute David Satcher, MD, PhD

Remarks and Q&A

• President-elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 Equity Task Force Chair Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS
• KFF VP and Director of the Racial Equity and Health Policy Program Samantha Artiga, MHSA (Event Moderator)

Panel Presentation and Discussion about KFF/The Undefeated Survey on Race and Health

• KFF Vice President and Director of Public Opinion and Survey Research Liz Hamel
• Senior Writer for ESPN’s Enterprise/Investigative Team Michael Fletcher

Perspectives of Leaders and Practitioners

• Executive Director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute Daniel E. Dawes, JD
• President & CEO of Grantmakers in Health Cara James, PhD
• Pediatrician and Public Health Advocate Rhea Boyd, MD, MPH

The one hour 20-minute event concluded with a question-and-answer session.

The event furthers Satcher Health Leadership Institute’s commitment to developing equity-focused leaders and creating systemic change at the intersection of equity and policy. SHLI is launching the Health Equity Tracker and co-leading the establishment of the National COVID-19 Resiliency Network to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color.

KFF continues its commitment to examining racial equity in health care and the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on people of color. KFF is launching the COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor initiative tracking the public’s evolving views about and experiences with a vaccine to inform public health professionals and policymakers developing and implementing vaccination outreach and communication plans.