Sustainability

Health Equity and Inclusive Excellence

UCLA Health recognizes that environmental factors can affect health outcomes and that communities may experience environmental conditions differently based on geographic, economic, and infrastructure-related circumstances. Understanding these relationships helps inform efforts to improve environmental quality and support community well-being.

Similarly, the recent coronavirus pandemic has accentuated the poor health and economic conditions of underserved populations. Poor air quality from fossil fuels and ash can lead to pulmonary and cardiovascular morbidities, which also increases the likelihood that these patient populations could suffer severe symptoms if they contract the virus. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is one of the leading causes of global death, prematurely killing more than 7 million people worldwide. In comparison, the recent coronavirus pandemic caused a total of around 2.7 million deaths in the year after the first cases were reported.

One of the most important synergies between the inequities caused by coronavirus pandemic and the climate crisis is the centrality of healthcare in the response. Our sustainability department works closely with our Health Equity and Inclusive Excellence team to help advance their five-pillar program:

  1. Advance access, equity and opportunity among staff
  2. Support organizational learning to achieve cultural humility, anti-racism and bias elimination
  3. Build a supportive workplace and clinical environment
  4. Ensure equitable patient access, care and service
  5. Enhance community service and engagement

Through our sustainability programs, UCLA Health works to reduce environmental impacts, promote responsible resource stewardship, and support initiatives that contribute to healthier environments for patients, staff, and the communities we serve. We are committed to applying evidence-based approaches, fostering collaboration, and continually evaluating opportunities to improve environmental and community health outcomes. To learn more, visit the UCLA Department of Medicine Office of Community Engagement and Inclusive Excellence.