Where Have You Gone, Health Equity?

The murder of George Floyd in 2020 sparked a national reckoning on racial injustice, propelling health equity to the forefront of US healthcare discourse. Two years later, that momentum has largely evaporated — fewer organizations talk about health equity, and even fewer take meaningful action. This Forbes analysis examines the rise and fall of health equity as a priority, revealing how performative pledges and waning public pressure have left systemic healthcare disparities largely unchanged. From hospital systems to insurance giants, the retreat from equity-focused initiatives signals a broader erosion of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) movement in corporate America. The article challenges leaders to translate rhetoric into sustainable change before the window of opportunity closes entirely.

The lead: After George Floyd’s murder, health equity became a rallying cry for US hospitals, insurers, and policymakers. Promises to close racial gaps in care, diversify clinical trials, and address social determinants of health flooded press releases. Fast-forward to 2026, and the conversation has quieted. Fewer organizations are publicly championing health equity, and funding for dedicated programs has dwindled. The shift reflects fatigue, political backlash, and a return to pre-2020 business as usual.

Context: The George Floyd protests of 2020 forced institutions across every sector to confront systemic racism. In healthcare, the COVID-19 pandemic had already exposed stark disparities — Black and Hispanic communities suffered higher infection and mortality rates. Health equity became a strategic priority. The American Medical Association formally recognized racism as a public health threat. Hospitals created chief health equity officer roles. Insurers launched programs addressing food insecurity and housing. Federal agencies like CMS incorporated equity metrics into value-based care models.

Key details: Yet by 2026, much of that energy has dissipated. According to a survey by the Health Equity Initiative, only 34% of healthcare organizations still have a dedicated health equity budget — down from 58% in 2021. The number of health equity job postings has fallen by 42% since their peak in 2022. Major health systems including Ascension and HCA Healthcare quietly restructured their DEI departments, merging them into broader HR functions. Even the term 'health equity' has become less common in annual reports and earnings calls, replaced by generic references to 'population health.'

Analysis: The retreat from health equity mirrors the broader backlash against DEI in corporate America. Conservative legal challenges, exemplified by the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision on affirmative action, have chilled diversity programs. Healthcare organizations, wary of litigation and political scrutiny, are scaling back. Critics argue that many initial commitments were performative — press releases without meaningful resource allocation. True structural change — like addressing provider bias, investing in community health workers, or redesigning payment models to reward equity — requires sustained investment and political will, which has proven scarce.

Outlook: The window for action may be closing, but it is not shut. A handful of health systems, including Kaiser Permanente and Atrium Health, continue to invest in equity as a core strategy. Federal programs like the Health Equity Accelerator offer grants. And patients — especially younger, diverse populations — increasingly choose providers based on demonstrated commitments to fair care. If healthcare leaders fail to institutionalize equity now, the disparities that Covid-19 laid bare will persist for generations. The question remains whether the industry will learn from its post-2020 failure to convert words into lasting impact.