Four Ways Humana Helps Multicultural Populations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that Black Americans, especially as they age, have higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke than White Americans.³ In an effort to combat these health disparities on a local level, Humana teamed up with the Black Health Care Coalition of Kansas City (BHCCKC) in 2019. According to a recent article, “Barber shops and beauty salons aren’t just small businesses in the Black community; they are metaphorical street corners or town plazas.”⁴ Humana and BHCCKC leveraged barber shops and salons because of their unique function in the Black community as gathering spaces. The result? The Barbershop and Beauty Parlor Tour, which brought healthcare inside the shops and salons.⁵ This innovative program activated these familiar, community-oriented spaces with free health screenings for Parkinson’s, diabetes, hypertension and social determinants of health in addition to wellnesses classes on topics like exercise and health resources.⁵ This program helps deliver valuable healthcare to communities of color while providing greater access to healthcare within those communities. All it takes is a little creativity—and maybe some clippers, too.

In 2017, the Humana Foundation granted $100,000 to Florida’s Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) in an effort to reduce healthcare disparities and increase healthcare access through the Te Ayudo program.⁶ Te Ayudo translates to “I can help you.” Through the Te Ayudo program, HUF employees help low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals and families, particularly Hispanic populations, navigate a complex healthcare system. Since its inception in 2016, the program has helped hundreds of people like Mayeris Bermúdez, a single mother from Venezuela, overcome enrollment hurdles and get affordable access to healthcare.⁷ Making access to healthcare simpler for more people is what Humana strives to do.

In 2018, Humana announced a long-term strategic partnership with the University of Houston to create the Humana Integrated Health System Sciences Institute (Humana Institute) through a 10-year, $15 million gift.⁸ The new college will train the healthcare leaders of tomorrow to focus on advancing population health, improving health outcomes and expanding the use of value-based care. Humana Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roy Beveridge said, “…we share a vision for…caring for individuals in underserved communities with the greatest health needs.”⁸

Because a majority of active physicians are White (56.2 percent) and male (64.1 percent)⁹, the need for a diverse workforce attuned to the needs of the community remains critical for healthcare equity. The University of Houston is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution.⁸ The Medical College within the Humana Institute, for example, actively works to attract and retain students from diverse backgrounds including Black and Hispanic students.¹⁰ Humana recognizes the healthcare system could be improved to better serve everyone. And it starts by building a diverse talent pool with the skills and empathy to make a real difference for communities of color.

In the wake of Breonna Taylor’s death and the subsequent protests, Humana committed $11.5 million and 160,000 employee volunteer hours to help support Lousiville’s community health, create greater health equity and make the company’s hometown more inclusive and equitable for all.¹¹ “We are at a pivotal moment in our country’s history, and it will come down to the actions and commitments we make today that will position us for a better tomorrow,” said Bruce Broussard, President and CEO of Humana. “Caring for each other and respecting differences is who we are as a company, and we do not tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind. At the core of our values is serving the communities in which we operate. The mission of our company has taken on particular significance in our hometown of Louisville that is reeling from the devastating loss of Breonna Taylor, protests and ensuing tragedies. This is a community that is already suffering the impact of COVID-19. There is a lot of work and healing to do to rebuild physically and emotionally.”¹¹