Removing Race from the Equation

CommonSpirit Health has taken another giant step forward in achieving health equity for all, with the launch of its Equity Heals: Addressing Chronic Kidney Disease outreach initiative.

Medical professionals use an assessment tool called estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to measure the kidneys’ ability to filter waste and toxins from the blood. A lower eGFR could indicate kidney disease or other issues with their function.

The eGFR algorithm adjusts for numerous factors when calculating results, such as age, weight, height — and, until recently, race.

For Black, Hispanic and Native American patients, adjusting the eGFR for race — based on generalizations like muscle mass and creatinine levels — often led to a delay in treatment, because their kidney function appeared better than it actually was.

Following guidelines provided by the National Kidney Foundation and the American College of Nephrology, CommonSpirit Health has removed race-based algorithms in lab testing for chronic kidney disease, helping caregivers intervene earlier and improve outcomes for diverse patient populations.

“This transition marks the beginning of ensuring that patients across our communities have access to equitable care without the influence of systemic social barriers such as race,” says Gaye Woods, System Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for CommonSpirit Health.

The new standards for eGFR measurement will be scaled across all regions served by CommonSpirit Health, impacting and improving health outcomes for millions of Americans.

 

Philanthropy directly supports the advancement of innovative initiatives like Equity Heals, accelerating meaningful, necessary changes in health care.

Generous gifts from our donors help to fund educational materials, community outreach, provider training and other critical components that help us continue delivering racial justice-informed care to every patient, at every visit.

###

 

More Stories