Multi-faceted health equity interventions and scalable real-world interventions are key to promoting and achieving equitable cardiovascular care for all, according to an action plan developed by the ACC Board of Trustees (BOT) Health Equity Task Force.

The plan, published as part of a focused Health Equity issue of JACC Advances, is centered around the following six "Health Equity Domains:" 1) health care data, science and tools; 2) workforce diversity; 3) education and training; 4) membership partnerships and collaborations; 5) community advocacy and policy; and 6) clinical trial diversity. It also outlines a blueprint for implementing health equity and highlights future work necessary to achieve health equity.

"Despite almost 40 years of acknowledgment, analysis and research of the health disparities in medicine, we continue to be confronted with unacceptable morbidity and mortality statistics that expose health inequities primarily in under resourced and minority communities," says Task Force Chair Paul L. Douglass, MD, FACC. "The Health Equity Task Force provides this action plan in hopes of creating a framework that utilizes the strengths and resources of the ACC and a template for other organizations to identify their capabilities in confronting this major societal inequity."

The action plan highlights the importance of "having diversity reflected across cardiologists and all [cardiovascular] team members" and the need for engaging and inspiring youth from underrepresented populations as early as elementary school, as well as mitigating bias in selection processes for medical school, residency and fellowships.

The authors also focus on the importance of "meticulous data collection" and the incorporation of "cutting-edge analytical tools and scientific methodologies into health care data analysis" in creating a roadmap to guide the implementation of equitable care practices.

"The significance of education in the pursuit of [health equity], particularly in [cardiovascular] care, cannot be overstated," they add. "Education encompassing both specialized [cardiovascular] training and broader educational programs is a critical tool for advancing the understanding and implementation of [health equity]."

Community and stakeholder engagement is another component of the framework, requiring trusted partnerships, shared decision-making and objective needs assessments. The Task Force notes that "codesigning interventions with community organizations and hospital systems ensures that these strategies accurately reflect the needs and preferences of patients." They also underscore the unique role collaborations and partnership can play in educating patients and "ensuring resources are available and easily accessible to those who need them the most."

On the patient front, clinical trial diversity is central to achieving health equity. The framework includes suggested solutions for overcoming current clinical trial challenges ranging from setting specific recruitment targets to leveraging technologies and fostering inclusive practices within a research community.

Looking ahead, the Task Force stresses the importance of prioritizing and continuing to address social determinants of health in future initiatives. "It is time for us to come together, listen to the voices of those who have been marginalized or are underrepresented, and take decisive action to create a future where [health equity] is a fundamental right for all."