Standing firm and speaking on principle regarding health equity

By Dennis Archambault

It’s not about politics, it’s about principle, notes James Bell III, assistant administrator for the Michigan Health and Human Services. As a health equity thought leader, words matter.

In a recent LinkedIn post, Bell noted that he has been “visited” by MAGA (Make American Great Again) followers regarding his comments about health equity, one of the terms the federal government has advised federal grantees not to use. Bell said, “If equity makes you uncomfortable, it’s probably working. If fairness feels like a threat, it’s worth asking what you were benefiting from before.

“I will not dilute my language. I will not soften truth to soothe fragility. I will not pretend injustice is up for debates.

“I talk about equity because I live it. Because people are still navigating systems that were never designed for them to thrive — and I won’t apologize for naming that out loud.”

His response, as a public health professional, is an indication for why the de Beaumont Foundation honored him as a “40 under 40” rising leader in public health.

Dennis Archambault is vice president of Public Affairs for Authority Health.