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The Sullivan Alliance to Transform
America’s Health Professions
 One
in four Americans is a member of a racial or ethnic minority group,
with Hispanics, African Americans, and American Indians making up
more than a quarter of the nation's population. The U.S. Census
Bureau predicts that by 2050, the majority of Americans will be
black, Asian, Native American, or Hispanic. In some cities and
states, they already represent a majority of the population.
But health care for many Americans in
these racial and ethnic groups has not sufficiently improved in our
increasingly diverse society. In too many cases, race or ethnicity
still determine health status, access to health care, and health
outcomes. In its report, the Sullivan Commission described the
current situation: “…too many Americans are suffering life or death
consequences… the time is right and our citizens are anxious for
action.”
Under the leadership of Dr. Louis W.
Sullivan, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and
Dr. Lonnie R. Bristow, former president of the American Medical
Association, the Sullivan Alliance to Transform America’s Health
Professions was established to increase diversity in the health
professions in order to help reduce racial and ethnic health
disparities. In partnership with the Health Policy Institute of the
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the Alliance is
comprised of 28 members
The Alliance is comprised of former
members of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on
Institutional and Policy-Level Strategies for Increasing the
Diversity of the U.S. Health Care Workforce and The Sullivan
Commission on Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce. In 2004, the
IOM Committee and the Sullivan Commission completed their work and
issued the following reports, respectively: In the Nation’s
Compelling Interest: Ensuring Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce
and Missing Persons: Minorities in the Health Professions. Together,
the IOM and Sullivan Commission reports, including their 62
recommendations for action, offer the nation a comprehensive
blueprint for achieving diversity and ensuring cultural competency
among our nation’s health professionals.
Drawing on the experience and expertise
of leading health, business, community, education, and legal
experts, the Alliance is harnessing the momentum created by the
reports and acting on initiatives focused on the implementation of
the recommendations. Through strong leadership, deep commitment, and
sustainable efforts, the Sullivan Alliance aims to transform the
health professions and narrow the gaps in health status and access
to health care that continue to leave too many Americans at risk.
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