By Dr. Marie Y. Lemelle, MBA, PhD

Systemic challenges in the healthcare system contribute to disparities in access and outcomes, affecting communities differently. These gaps can influence who receives timely, life-saving care and who faces more significant obstacles in obtaining necessary treatment. Now, a bold new initiative –Just Leaders For A Just Health System (JUSTICE SQUARED), spearheaded by Well-Being and Equity (WE) in the World and supported by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – is challenging these disparities head-on.

A Healthcare System That Harms

“If we left this issue to itself, we’d be paying for a healthcare system fixing broken people rather than stabilizing people in communities. Our healthcare system will be part of what’s causing harm,” says Dr. Somava Saha, chief executive officer and president of WE in the World. The status quo is unsustainable, and without intervention, structural inequities will continue to dictate health outcomes for generations to come.

“A lack of affordable, quality health care options, meanwhile, can make it difficult to get timely treatment — a barrier that people of color disproportionately face. Black, Hispanic, and AIAN people are also less likely than other groups to have health insurance, more likely to delay care because of costs, and more likely to incur medical debt.” (The Commonwealth Fund”s Advancing Racial Equity In Health Care Report)

A Call for Fair and Equitable Healthcare

Determined to address these inequities, Well-Being and Equity (WE) in the World, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), has launched Just Leaders for a Just Health System (JUSTICE SQUARED), A transformative two-year initiative aimed at addressing disparities and promoting equity in healthcare.

“In JUSTICE SQUARED, we will support and challenge each other, create practical system change, using methods that are effective, and engage in processes that are grounded in trust, joy, and justice,” says Dr. Saha, chief executive officer and president of WE in the World. “By advancing change co-led by communities experiencing inequities and healthcare leaders, we’ll begin to build a healthcare system that’s healthier, safer, and more effective for us all.”

The Impact of Systemic Inequities on Health

“At WE in the World, we believe structural racism permeates healthcare—and is a barrier to dignity, equity, and justice for millions,” asserts Dr. Saha.

Systemic racism affects everything from the air we breathe to the water we drink. The 2024 State Health Disparities Report by The Commonwealth Fund finds that deep racial and ethnic disparities in health are driven by factors inside and outside state healthcare systems. In many communities where people of color live, poverty rates are higher than average, pollution and crime levels are elevated, and green spaces are few—all key contributors to health disparities.”

Research indicates that many people of color experience challenges related to bias and disparities in healthcare settings, which can impact their medical care. According to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) assessment, Black patients received lower-quality care than white patients on 52 percent of measured healthcare indicators in 2023.

An Invitation to Drive Meaningful Change

The JUSTICE SQUARED initiative provides healthcare and community leaders the tools, mentorship, and structured learning journey to identify and dismantle entrenched inequities. The program’s highlights include:

• Up to 12 teams will participate, each comprising five healthcare and community leaders.
• Up to $300,000 per team will be funded, with an additional $400,000 available for safety-net healthcare institutions.
• Expert coaching, technical assistance, and peer collaboration to drive real, systemic change.

The initiative reimagines healthcare relationships to reflect fairness, trust, and dignity by fostering meaningful partnerships between healthcare institutions and their communities. Eligible participants include healthcare organizations and community leaders committed to dismantling racism in their institutions and beyond.

“This program is an essential step to break down silos and foster meaningful collaboration,” says Emmy Hall Ganos, associate managing director, Leadership for Better Health Strategic Portfolio at RWJF. “While abolishing structural racism will take decades, JUSTICE SQUARED creates a pathway for leaders to unite and enact sustainable change.”

The Time for Change is Now

The launch of JUSTICE SQUARED is a rallying cry for leaders, healthcare professionals, and communities to step forward and become architects of a new, just healthcare system. This is not just about policy shifts—it is about saving lives, restoring dignity, and helping healthcare serve as a force for healing rather than harm.

The message is clear for those committed to the cause: the time to act is now. Transforming our healthcare system is not just an ideal—it is necessary for all communities’ health, dignity, and future. 

The movement has begun. Will you be part of it?

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and the individuals quoted and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated organizations, including Well-Being and Equity (WE) in the World or the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult qualified professionals regarding healthcare decisions or policy considerations.

Published by Iris S.