The American Heart Association hosted its first annual Health Equity in the Workforce Leadership Summit, bringing together representatives from local businesses to share information and gain a better understanding of their employees’ diverse needs. Tiffany Gholston, board chair of the American Heart Association of the Triangle, 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 summit featured notable companies such as Deloitte, IBM, Lenovo, and Advanced Auto Parts, as well as faculty members from Duke University and North Carolina State University discussing challenges faced by recent graduates entering the local workforce. Gholston expressed her hope that the summit would serve as a platform for ongoing communication and action, ensuring that employees have access to the appropriate resources they need.
Speakers at the summit discussed the distinction between equity and equality and their significant role in healthcare. Gholston highlighted that many employers have good intentions but may not know where to begin in addressing health equity in the workplace. The American Heart Association aims to equip employers with the necessary tools and resources to support the health equity of their employees effectively.
Looking ahead, Gholston underscored the significance of addressing issues like mental health in the workplace, especially in light of the challenges brought on by the pandemic in 2020. As the American Heart Association began focusing on this area in 2021, 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. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten