Skip to main content

One Houston Together: Health and Racial Inequities

Published Sep 15, 2020 by A.J. Mistretta

The race-based disparities that exist in health outcomes has been a much-discussed and researched topic. While some progress has been made to address access, cost and quality of care, the COVID-19 pandemic has made clear that race continues to play a role in not only health care but the social determinants of health

The third installment of the Partnership’s One Houston Together webinar series looked at Health and Racial Inequities and featured Zawadi Bryant, CEO, NightLight Pediatric Urgent Care; Elena Marks, President and CEO, Episcopal Health Foundation; Jean Leclerc Raphael, Associate Professor, Baylor College of Medicine; and moderator Tanweer Kaleemullah, Public Health Policy Analyst, Harris County Public Health. 

We invite you to watch the full conversation by clicking the video recording to the right. 

The conversation began by level-setting with a definition: “Health equity means everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and the consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments and health care. For the purposes of measurement, health equity means reducing and ultimately eliminating disparities in health and its determinants that adversely affect excluded or marginalized groups.”

Discussion topics included: 

  • What factors are driving negative health outcomes among different races. 
  • How people of color are often exposed to environments or situations where their need for health care is greater. For example, the current pandemic has hit Black and Latinx populations harder because many are working in essential jobs or low-paying jobs that do not offer paid time off. 
  • Why this current period, amid a national conversation around race, presents an unprecedented opportunity for addressing health inequities. 
  • What are the greatest barriers to health care for people of color in the Houston region. 
  • What people can do at the policy level and on an individual level to reduce or eliminate inequities in health care. 

Additional Resources Recommended by the Panelists: 

Suggested Books: 

  • Caste by Isabel Wilkerson - recommended by Elena Marks 
  • Well by Sandro Galea - recommended by Zawadi Bryant

Learn more about One Houston Together

Below are other events related to the series. All Upcoming One Houston Together virtual events that are free to register: 

Watch previous One Houston Together webinars: 

Related News

Economic Development

How Amazon's Strategic Procurement Drives Inclusive Growth

11/20/24
Amazon’s leadership in supplier diversity has positioned the corporation for success while driving inclusive economic growth. Kennedy Oates, Partnership Board Member and Vice President of Global Procurement at Amazon, shared insights and best practices at the Greater Houston Partnership’s One Houston Together Fall Chief Procurement Officers (CPO) Convening.  Oates discussed how Amazon has grown its supplier diversity efforts by ensuring the value proposition of intentional inclusion of underrepresented businesses is communicated at every level. According to Amazon’s 2023 Sustainability Report, the company’s global supplier diversity and inclusion (SDI) program is estimated to have supported over 30,000 U.S. jobs and generated approximately $2.8 billion in wages earned from Amazon's certified U.S. Tier 1 supplier diversity spend.  In 2023, Amazon was inducted into the Billion Dollar Roundtable, a non-profit organization comprised of U.S. corporations that each spend $1 billion or more annually on a Tier 1 basis with diverse suppliers. These diverse-owned businesses comprise majority owners who identify as minorities, women, veterans, disabled and LGBTQ.  Oates stated that achieving this milestone required a deliberate approach, built on a clear vision, a targeted strategy, and an empowered team dedicated to executing these goals. By embedding supplier diversity into Amazon’s core procurement practices, they’ve fostered a sustainable and inclusive growth model that supports both the company’s goals and the success of diverse suppliers. Key Takeaways from CPO Convening Supplier Diversity as a Strategic Value Proposition Oates emphasized the importance of viewing supplier diversity as more than just an initiative—highlighting the long-term value diverse suppliers bring to a company and its surrounding communities. Through its global SDI strategy, Amazon measures impact through jobs supported, wages earned and economic output generated. “Given our reach and scale, Amazon has a greater responsibility.” – Kennedy Oates, VP of Global Procurement, Amazon Vision-Driven Goals with Clear Strategies For Amazon, supplier diversity goals go beyond simple statements. Oates stressed the importance of crafting a well-defined vision, supported by actionable strategies to advance supplier diversity objectives. This approach includes setting clear, market-specific spending targets, identifying procurement categories that have greater opportunity based passed success, and building relationships with suppliers by understanding their needs and their customers’ needs. In addition, internal teams should have collaborative discussions on supplier diversity across the entire business rather than in silos.   Partnering with Companies at Every Level “Every large company was once small.” – Kennedy Oates, VP of Global Procurement, Amazon Amazon is redefining procurement by challenging the perception that only large companies can serve large corporations. Its approach embraces partnerships with businesses of all sizes, embedding supplier diversity as a core element of its supply chain. While direct spending with certified Tier 1 diverse suppliers is central to Amazon’s SDI program, the company further amplifies its impact by encouraging Tier 1 suppliers to include diverse Tier 2 businesses in their procurement processes. For example, Amazon sets specific spend targets in contracts with Tier 1 suppliers to use Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, creating a positive ripple effect that brings opportunities to underrepresented companies deeper in the supply chain. To learn more about the Partnership’s Supplier Diversity workstream, contact LaTanya Flix.
Read More
Public Policy

Securing Essential Water Infrastructure for Sustainable Growth in Texas

10/28/24
People are moving to Texas, and businesses are building new facilities. That rapid growth is straining resources, particularly water. According to a new report, Texas must invest $154 billion over the next 50 years in new water supply and infrastructure—critical needs to support the state’s expanding population and booming industries. The report from Texas 2036, a nonpartisan public policy think tank, highlights the urgency of this investment. Without reliable water infrastructure, Texas could face the loss of a million jobs and more than $160 billion in economic impact over the next five decades. The report underscores a stark reality: a comprehensive, sustainable funding strategy for water is necessary to keep Texas economically resilient and competitive. Investment Needs The 2022 Texas Water Plan and US EPA initially estimated that Texas would need $132 billion in water infrastructure investments over the next 50 years. However, Texas 2036 has adjusted this figure for inflation, raising the projected cost to $154 billion. While state and federal programs—such as the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) and the newly established Texas Water Fund—are expected to provide around $40-45 billion in financial support over the coming decades, a significant long-term funding gap persists.   Click to expand Texas 2036 graphic showing cost estimate for water infrastructure needs Dual Challenges According to the report, Texas faces two challenges. First, the state must develop a broad, diversified water supply portfolio to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population and economy while strengthening resilience to future droughts. The water supply gap poses additional risks to the state’s electricity generation, as low water levels during droughts could limit power from natural gas, nuclear and coal plants. Second, aging and deteriorating drinking water and wastewater systems. Over the past five years, nearly 3,000 boil water notices have been issued annually, leaving communities without reliable water service.  Impact on Industries A severe, prolonged drought would have widespread effects on industries across Texas. Manufacturing, a key driver of the state’s economy, is one example.  The top five manufacturing regions—Dallas-Fort Worth, the Greater Houston area, East Texas (Beaumont, Tyler, Lufkin), Central Texas (College Station, Temple, Waco), and South Central Texas (San Antonio, Victoria)—together account for 82% of the state’s manufacturing GDP and 77% of its manufacturing jobs. According to research from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, within the next 20 years, these regions could face nearly $20.8 billion in lost manufacturing GDP and over 116,000 job losses due to water shortages during a drought of record. The potential economic fallout underscores the need for immediate and strategic investments in water infrastructure to safeguard key industries and the communities that rely on them. Advocacy at the Capitol  Water infrastructure is one of the executive priorities for the Greater Houston Partnership for the 89th Texas Legislative Session. These priorities serve as a roadmap for the upcoming session, highlighting key areas of interest for the business community. The Partnership supports increased funding for the Texas Water Fund, preferably establishing a dedicated funding stream to ensure long-term, sustainable investments in the state’s water resources.   Learn more about how the Partnership advances strong policy that fosters long-term growth and upward economic mobility for the region.  
Read More

Related Events

Airports

State of the Airports

Tickets and tables are now available! The Greater Houston Partnership invites you to the State of Airports on Tuesday, December 5, as Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation, outlines the next…

Learn More
Learn More
Executive Partners