Communities

Global Health Equity Network

Advancing diversity and inclusion to ensure health and wellness for everyone, everywhere.

Join the Global Health Equity Network (GHEN) to collaborate with other HIMSS members to:

  • Advocate for underserved groups to improve care access and outcomes
  • Advance the elimination of health disparities
  • Find real-world solutions and develop resources to address challenges
  • Champion an inclusive and diverse workforce
  • Dialogue with leaders in health, information and technology, and government
  • GHEN members share insights, best practices and resources through virtual and in-person education, events and networking. We welcome all HIMSS members who are committed to achieving equity in health and wellness for all people.

Not a HIMSS member yet?

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Join the HIMSS Global Health Equity Network to advance the cause of health and wellness for everyone, everywhere. Collaborate with members of our diverse communities to share insights, best practices and resources through virtual and in-person education, events and networking. Advocate for underserved groups in health information and technology around the globe, and collaborate to find real-world solutions to challenges and roadblocks. Dialogue with an inclusive group of leaders in healthcare, health information and technology, and government to improve access to care and outcomes for people across the globe.

What is health equity?

HIMSS defines this critical need as equal access to health and wellness services regardless of the patient’s geographic location, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender or other demographic factors.

There are a number of social determinants of health (SDOH) that impact people’s ability to get the care they need, such as their employment status, access to healthy food and transportation, and strength of their social support network. Health equity considers these factors and reduces disparities in access and quality of care, so that no matter who you are or where you live, you can get the services you need to be healthy and well. 

According to the World Health Organization, inequity is the absence of avoidable or remediable differences among groups of people, whether those groups are defined socially, economically, demographically or geographically. Health inequities therefore involve more than inequality with respect to health determinants—access to the resources needed to improve and maintain health or health outcomes. 
At HIMSS, we believe that reducing health inequities is essential, because healthcare is a fundamental human right. Learn more about our efforts, led by our GHEN and SDOH Task Forces.

How can you participate?

1.    Join GHEN.

If you’re already a HIMSS member, add GHEN to your account in three easy steps:

  • Log into your HIMSS Membership Profile and drop down to "My Account"
  • Hover over "My Involvement" and select "Participation"
  • Scroll down to "Edit Participations" and add GHEN

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2.    Join our communities.

We have active communities focused on advocacy and information. Participation is not exclusive, and we encourage our members to join any of them:

We are developing more communities to support inclusive efforts across areas of need. If you would like to suggest a community, please email us.

Our Resources

HIMSS Learning Center

Connect to events and webinars with peers and experts to discover solutions to your biggest healthcare challenges.

Find resources

HIMSS TV

The world’s first online broadcasting network focused on global innovation and how information and technology are driving change in healthcare, HIMSS TV runs throughout the year, with weekly programming from major HIMSS events and industry thought leaders.

Find videos

Initiatives

Be the change you want to see in the world—take action with us.

  • Global Health Equity Week: This global action week celebrates the power of information and technology to improve access to healthcare for all communities. It focuses on displaying the value and potential of health information and technology to transform health and support the elimination of health disparities.
  • CAHIMS™ Grant for Minority Professionals and Students: Created by GHEN and the HIMSS Foundation, this new grant provides underrepresented health information and technology professionals and students with preparation materials and financial resources to attain CAHIMS certification.

Attend worldwide events focused on a variety of health information and technology topics.

Find an event

Advocating for Change

To support health and wellness in communities everywhere, we’re advocating for change. Help us impact integral public policy through the HIMSS Legislative Action Center:

Sponsorship Opportunities

Reach a diverse global audience through thought leadership content, events, digital initiatives, exhibitions and special projects—and receive a wide range of benefits to meet the unique needs of your company. Contact us to learn more.

Advisory Task Force

The GHEN Advisory Task Force is comprised of leaders around the world who are focused on eliminating disparities and advocating for inclusion in healthcare. More information is available to all who join the network.

Questions?

If you have questions or suggestions for GHEN, please contact us.