Health equity, caregiver diversity, and COVID-19 — with Sheldon Fields

HIMSSCast host Jonah Comstock welcomes Sheldon Fields, RN, PhD, a researcher, health policy analyst, educator and advocate. He serves as Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion at Penn State, First Vice President at the National Black Nurses Association, and founder and CEO of his own consulting firm, the SDF Group. On today's episode, they talk about some of the current health equity challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and how to combat them. Talking points:Dr. Fields' history as a nurse and academicThe mission of the National Black Nurses’ AssociationHow caregiver representation aligns with care equityComparing the COVID-19 pandemic with the HIV/AIDS epidemicHow pandemics can illuminate health disparitiesThe history of medical atrocities in the US, and its aftereffectsIs vaccine hesitancy as big an issue as vaccine access?How minority nursing associations can help expand vaccine accessHealth equity beyond the pandemic — including medical researchHow the NIH’s All of Us initiative has continued throughout the pandemicMore about this article:Nurses You Should KnowThe National Black Nurses AssociationDr. Fields' PSU Faculty PageAll of UsIn-depth: Health organizations harness the power of technology to address health disparities during pandemicAMA past president Dr. Patrice Harris advocates for equity in the COVID-19 eraAI bias may worsen COVID-19 health disparities for people of colorNIH All of Us program gearing up for 'precision engagement,' Eric Dishman saysHuman rights law can provide a fair, transparent framework for vaccine allocationsDisadvantaged census areas are linked to COVID-19 incidenceCVS Health, Lyft and YMCA team for equitable access to a COVID-19 vaccination siteBig tech, digital health coalition forms to undercut COVID-19 healthcare disparitiesCalifornia taps Blue Shield to oversee an equitable vaccine distribution plan