According to the Institute of Medicine, equity is a core dimension of quality of care.   NICHQ’s Child Health Agenda calls on health care organizations to promote equity by tracking racial/ethnic and socioeconomic group results, by delving deeper to discover why disparities exist, by addressing limited English proficiency, and by focusing on topics most affecting minority and disadvantaged communities.

“The challenge before us is how best to create a healthcare system in which all children receive care that is safe, effective, efficient, timely and family centered, regardless of background or cultural differences.” This statement provided the impetus for NICHQ's guide, supported by the California Endowment, on how to improve cultural competency in children's health care. Addressing cultural competency is one key component of the larger effort to address disparities in care.

NICHQ Cultural Competency Report