3 Ways to Champion Health Equity

By: Thomas G. Bognanno, President and CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities 

Today, March 11, 2021, marks the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 being declared a global pandemic. None of us could have imagined the devastating toll this virus would take — especially on the most vulnerable, on under-resourced communities, and on communities of color. As widely reported, many Black families have disproportionately lost their lives and their livelihoods to the COVID-19 crisis. We cannot stand idly by. We must address these inequities. And we must do it together.

That’s why today, we champion health equity.

Here at CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, we are rallying everyone — communities, companies, nonprofits, and individuals — to join together for CHC Giving Day #ForHealthEquity.  Beyond equity in testing and vaccine distribution, the pandemic brought to light and further magnified longstanding health inequities and disparities in quality healthcare, education, nutrition, employment, housing, and much more.

Now, we have an opportunity – an obligation – to do something about it. Together, we can work to create a world where every person, in every community, has an opportunity to realize their greatest potential and live a healthy life, no matter their race, gender, financial situation, or geographic location.

Each of us can do something, and together, our individual actions create a movement. I invite you to join us #ForHealthEquity by:

  1. Sharing. Activate your social media network #ForHealthEquity with one of our pre-developed posts and help spread the message.
  2. Donate. On your own, with your network, or with your company, take part in CHC Giving Day #ForHealthEquity. Funds will be granted to community organizations hit hardest by the pandemic and working every day to advance equity and recovery.
  1. If you’re not familiar with the health disparities magnified by COVID-19, read my recent pieces, Championing Health Equity for Black History Month and Racism is a Public Health Crisis. Or check out Health.com or this podcast from the Daily.

Let’s pledge to be all in #ForHealthEquity. Together, we’re creating healthier communities for all of us.

Thomas G. Bognanno, President and CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities 

Thomas G. Bognanno has been the President and CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities formerly Community Health Charities since January 2006. Prior to that, Tom had a distinguished 20-year career with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), where he served as the Chief Field Officer. He was instrumental in revitalizing ADA’s community-level infrastructure and acting as one of the chief architects of the Everyday Choices for a Healthier Life partnership between ADA, the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society. Before ADA, Tom spent six years with the American Cancer Society.

At CHC, Tom has been a catalyst for consolidating the organization and creating a new direction for its more than 2,000 charity partners nationwide and its network of over 17 million caring employees. Under Tom’s leadership, CHC evolved its mission to empower people to take action to improve health and wellbeing to build stronger, healthier communities. CHC supports education, treatment, and prevention for those with health challenges; brings organizations together to improve community health; provides individuals with opportunities to get involved; and increases the capacity of nonprofit organizations.

Residing in northern Virginia, Tom and his wife Suzan have been married for over 35 years and have raised three children