Under the Same Sky with Tracy Watts of Mercer
As we continue to face complex challenges like health disparities and climate change, the role of employers in shaping the future of healthcare is more critical than ever. In preparation for the 2024 Climate Week, we invited Tracy Watts, senior partner and US leader for healthcare policy at Mercer, to be our guest speaker for this Under the Same Sky discussion. This conversation explored the intersection of employer benefit programs, health equity, and climate change. Tracy shared insights and strategies that Mercer is using to help employers better protect their employees as they commit to building healthier and more resilient futures for clients and communities. View the recording.
Half of all Americans receive their health insurance through their employer, making the policies they promote, the programs they build, and the data they collect have immense potential to shape the health outcomes of millions. Employers are not just responsible for the economic wellbeing of their workforce but increasingly play a vital role in ensuring equitable access to healthcare.
In recent years, the need for health equity has become a pressing issue in corporate healthcare strategies. Many of the largest U.S. employers are taking active steps to address disparities in healthcare by examining their own benefit programs. According to Tracy, approximately two-thirds of large employers, those with more than 20,000 employees, are making efforts to close the gap in health outcomes.
Data collection is a crucial tool in this effort. Companies are using demographic data, such as race and gender identity, to assess disparities in their healthcare programs. About one-third of employers have begun requesting detailed outcomes and utilization data from their health plan partners, aiming to understand where inequities lie and how they can be addressed.
“Information gives us power to improve the impact we’re having.” ”
One particular area where employers are making strides is in maternal healthcare, especially for Black women, who face significantly higher mortality rates during childbirth. Tracy highlighted that 15% of employers now provide coverage for doulas, midwives, and birthing centers. These services are particularly important in reducing maternal health disparities and ensuring that Black women have access to the support they need during pregnancy and childbirth.
Health equity doesn’t only apply to maternity care. Tracy also discussed the alarming disparities in breast cancer outcomes, particularly among Black women. Statistics show that Black women are four times more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. One reason for this stark contrast is the lack of access to follow-up care. While the first mammogram is fully covered under the Affordable Care Act’s preventive care requirements, subsequent mammograms are often not. This gap can prevent early diagnosis and timely treatment.
Abner encouraged employers to start addressing this issue by covering second mammograms, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to potentially life-saving care. Tracy also proposed the idea of deploying mobile mammogram services directly to worksites, making it easier for women to access preventive care without worrying about time off or finding a nearby provider. Solutions like this could have a profound impact on reducing breast cancer mortality rates.
Housing and transportation are among the key factors that can significantly affect an individual’s ability to stay healthy. For smaller companies that may not have access to robust employee health data, Mercer has been leveraging a tool developed by the CDC—the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). This tool uses census data to analyze factors such as socioeconomic status, household characteristics, and racial or ethnic minority status. By using the SVI, employers can gain insights into the vulnerabilities of their workforce and begin tailoring their healthcare programs accordingly. This approach ensures that even smaller employers without extensive data resources can take meaningful steps towards reducing health disparities.
Another big issue that employers are leaning into is climate change. Climate-related risks, such as extreme heat, poor air quality, and natural disasters, disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Mercer’s research shows that climate events are already affecting workers’ health. Sixty percent of employers surveyed said their employees had been impacted by an extreme climate event in the past two years. Nearly one in five employees reported that their health or that of a family member had been negatively affected.
The Health Action Alliance has responded to these challenges by establishing the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health, in which Abner and Tracy are both members. For most businesses, people are their most important asset, so this initiative aims to elevate the concept of people risk. These risks are only increasing, making it imperative for employers to take a proactive approach to protecting their workforce from the harmful effects of extreme weather.
Health inequities and climate change pose significant threats to both individuals and businesses, and employers have an unprecedented opportunity to drive change. By focusing on health equity, addressing social determinants of health, and preparing for the impacts of climate change, companies can build healthier, more resilient workforces.
According to Tracy, solutions are available, and the time to act is now. Employers must continue to lean into these challenges, leverage data and innovative tools, and create more inclusive healthcare programs to build a future where health outcomes are equitable.
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