Tackling Racism in Digital Health: The Partnership Between Digital Health and the Equity Charter at Rewired 2025
In a groundbreaking initiative, Digital Health and the Equity Charter are joining forces to confront racism within the digital health sector. This partnership will be formally launched at the upcoming Rewired 2025 event, scheduled for March 18-19, 2025, at the NEC in Birmingham. The Equity Charter, which aims to combat discrimination and promote equity in digital health, will unveil its ten guiding principles at this significant gathering.
The Birth of the Equity Charter
The Equity Charter was first introduced at the Rewired 2024 event in March, following a wave of outrage over racist and misogynistic comments made by Frank Hester, the owner of TPP, a prominent digital health company. The founders of the Equity Charter—Ayesha Rahim, a portfolio psychiatrist in the NHS; Victoria Betton, director at Peopledotcom; and Hassan Chaudhury, commercial director at DATA-CAN—felt compelled to act in response to these comments. In a joint statement, they expressed their dismay, stating, “As people working in the digital health sector, we were appalled by the racist and misogynistic comments reported in The Guardian.”
Their response was swift and decisive. They launched an open letter at the Rewired Digital Health conference, calling for individuals and organizations to sign on in solidarity against racism. The response was overwhelming, with over 1,000 individual signatures and more than 60 organizational endorsements. This momentum culminated in a summit held on July 23, where experts in equality, diversity, and digital health convened to develop the principles of the Equity Charter.
The Ten Principles of the Equity Charter
The Equity Charter is built upon ten foundational principles designed to guide organizations and individuals in promoting equity within the digital health landscape. These principles are as follows:
- Each of us commits to standing up for equity.
- Leaders, teams, and organizations champion equity.
- Equity embedded into policy and practice.
- Equity at the center of digital strategy and transformation.
- Digital teams represent the wider workforce and communities they serve.
- Equity embedded in research and innovation.
- Digital products and services are designed equitably.
- Ethical procurement and contracting promotes equity.
- Equity in the design and use of algorithms.
- Equitable health and wellbeing outcomes for underserved communities.
Each principle will be accompanied by actionable steps to facilitate its implementation, ensuring that organizations can effectively integrate these values into their operations.
A Call to Action
As the launch of the ten principles approaches, Ayesha Rahim expressed her enthusiasm for the collective effort to combat bigotry in the digital health sector. “I’m delighted that we have seen a galvanization of the digital health and wider community to come together to say no to bigotry,” she stated. Rahim emphasized the importance of community feedback on the draft principles, urging as many stakeholders as possible to engage with the charter and commit to its actions.
Jon Hoeksma, chief executive of Digital Health, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the necessity of maintaining ethical standards in healthcare. “The Equity Charter is a timely reminder that we cannot take for granted the values we hold dear. They require commitment and effort,” he remarked. Hoeksma underscored that respect and equity are particularly crucial in healthcare, where shared values underpin the effectiveness of health services.
Join the Movement
The Equity Charter represents a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable digital health environment. Stakeholders are encouraged to become signatories of the charter and provide feedback on the ten principles. This collaborative effort aims to create a robust framework for addressing racism and promoting equity in digital health.
To become a signatory and contribute to this vital initiative, interested parties can sign up here.
Rewired 2025: A Platform for Change
The Rewired 2025 event will serve as a pivotal platform for the launch of the Equity Charter. The event is free for those in the NHS and public sector, while private sector tickets are available starting at £495 +VAT. Attendees are encouraged to register early and secure accommodations to take advantage of the best rates.
For more information and to register for Rewired 2025, visit this link.
Conclusion
The partnership between Digital Health and the Equity Charter marks a significant milestone in the ongoing fight against racism in the digital health sector. By launching the ten principles at Rewired 2025, the founders aim to inspire a collective commitment to equity, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have access to fair and just healthcare solutions. As the digital health community unites to confront these challenges, the hope is that this initiative will pave the way for a more inclusive future in healthcare.