AAHPM Statement on Racism in Healthcare

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) condemns racism and its negative impact on inequities in the U.S., specifically in our healthcare system.

Systemic racism undermines public health and poses a barrier to achieving our vision that all patients, families, and caregivers who need it will have access to high-quality hospice and palliative care.

We have made the following pledges to achieve Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

• Create a welcoming environment.
• Build a community and field that is diverse across many dimensions, including but not limited to age, gender, gender identity, ability, education, ethnicity, nationality, political opinion, professional experience, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
• Create spaces for difficult conversations, hearing all voices and providing leadership where it is needed.
• Support and sustain an environment that facilitates and maintains open dialogue, learning, leadership and growth.

AAHPM is committed to promoting equity and reducing the adverse impact of racism and improving the health and well-being of all people living with serious illness, their families, and the healthcare professionals who care for them. We lend our support to policies that address health disparities and inequities in our healthcare system that adversely affect vulnerable populations and cannot let racism and disparities in care go unchecked. We are here to support a more just, equitable culture and system for all.