What We’re Fighting For

Ally Pratt

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” – Harry S. Truman

As we celebrate our nation’s independence this week, we would also like to reflect on some of the key issues Unite Us is determined to find solutions for. The dynamic nature of society means these topics can be complex and difficult to solve, but we wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for those who came before us and fought for what we have now. This Independence Day, let’s remember what we are fighting for.

Health equity.

Healthcare should not be a challenge to reach for anybody, especially minority groups. Groups of all races, genders, sexualities, occupations, locations, mental and physical illnesses, and disabilities deserve to receive the care they need. At Unite Us, we believe that a person’s socioeconomic status should never prevent them from being cared for. This is now both a moral issue and an economic issue, and luckily, recent shifts in healthcare are pointing toward a solution. Addressing all the determinants of health has proven to cut costs across the board and reduce avoidable hospital utilizations, making access to resources and care delivery easier for both patients and workers.

Technological development.

The magnitude of technological growth that has occurred in the past decade is astonishing, but how can we ensure technology is improving society rather than putting it at risk? We believe that we should embrace technologies that make traditional care coordination practices simpler, faster, and even limitless. To keep up with rapidly changing health and human services industry, service providers are going to need to be open to innovation, share their successes and failures with others, and use sustainably designed technology as a tool.

Social justice.

The voices of vulnerable populations need to be heard. Nobody should be left to slip through the cracks, and those with the power to prevent that have a duty to. Health equity is just one piece of the puzzle, but the fight for equal rights spreads much farther and wider than healthcare. A crucial step toward equality is collaboration; we should never forget the impact a community can have. We want to transcend silos and connect individuals, organizations, and sectors, and we need effective leaders to pave the way.

While numerous distractions and obstacles can challenge you, don’t forget about the change you are trying to make. This week, we honor the freedom that our country fought for, but we know that the fight for equity and integrity is not over yet. Here at Unite Us, our team is robust with energy, motivation, and a daily drive to be a part of the fight. Surround yourself with a community willing to fight for the same things you are, and take full advantage of all the partnerships that exist and the partnerships that are waiting to be made.

Be a part of the transformation. What are you fighting for?