The American Medical Association says that racism is a public health threat and plans to end racist practices in healthcare. Both intentional and unintentional racial bias make the quality of life and healthcare worse in historically under-resourced groups. Without major changes to the structures and systems that shape our lives, these health differences will continue and harm the nation’s overall health.
Implicit Bias is the learned stereotypes and unfair judgements that people think without realizing. Structural racism happens when society’s basic systems – like housing, education, employment, media, healthcare, and criminal justice – treat people unfairly based on race.
The Office of Health Equity (OHE) implemented a statewide implicit bias training program. The goal of the training program was to make participants aware of implicit bias so that they can provide high-quality care and services that:
- Respect diverse cultural beliefs and practices about health.
- Use language people prefer and understand.
- Meet each person’s communication needs.
- Match each person’s level of health understanding.
- Treat everyone fairly and with respect.
The Implicit Bias toolkit was developed by the OHE. The Implicit Bias toolkit aims to address implicit bias, which may affect how health care is delivered. The toolkit has resources that help reduce the impact of implicit bias in health systems.
View the Implicit Bias Toolkit
- The tool kit addresses:
- Bias in Medicine
- Inequities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Bias in maternal and child health and morbidity
- Race and ethnicity in life expectancy
- Implicit biases and stereotypes in LGBTQIA2S+ Health
- Cultural competence in refugee and migrant health
For further information on implicit bias or the toolkit, contact Tensae Getz at c-tgertz@pa.gov .