---
title: "Why Nurses Play a Key Role in Advancing Health Equity | Sutter Health"
description: "Sutter Health's Kristen Azar, R.N., writes in Nurse Leader on how a diverse nursing workforce can help close persistent health equity gaps nationwide."
url: "https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/perspectives/nurses-play-special-role-in-health-equity-efforts"
---

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3.  Nurses Play Special Role In Health Equity Efforts

# Nurses Play Special Role in Health Equity Efforts

Sutter Health's Kristen Azar, R.N., writes in Nurse Leader on how a diverse nursing workforce can help close persistent health equity gaps nationwide.

December 10, 2021 by Sutter Health

![Nurses Play Special Role in Health Equity Efforts](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/perspectives/Black-male-nurse-consults-Latina-patient-while-wearing-surgical-masks-and-gesturing-to-smar-3ef719d7.jpg?h=400&iar=0&w=600 "Nurses Play Special Role in Health Equity Efforts")

On the heels of a recent announcement from the Biden administration to [bolster the ranks of healthcare workers](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-kamala-harris-fa486d4621426b399c37a41f1e65779f), the call also continues for a more diversified workforce. Nurses in particular can play a significant role given they “are often the first and most frequent line of contact with people of all backgrounds and experiences seeking care and they represent the largest of the health care professions,” according to the [National Academy of Medicine’s recent report](https://nam.edu/publications/the-future-of-nursing-2020-2030/).

A more diverse nursing workforce can help make greater inroads to improved health equity. The journal [Nurse Leader](https://www.nurseleader.com/article/S1541-4612\(21\)00179-8/fulltext) features Kristen M.J. Azar, R.N., MSN/MPH, scientific medical director, Sutter Health Institute for Advancing Health Equity, specifically discussing the evolving role of nurse leadership in the fight for health equity, regardless of their practice setting.

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