Diversity, Equity, and Belonging

The mission of The Children’s Heart Foundation is to help advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects by funding the most promising research. Our hope is that all children impacted by congenital heart defects (CHDs) can live long, healthy lives. The Children’s Heart Foundation recognizes that CHD families span across all races, ethnicities, genders, religions, ages, languages, sexual orientations, national origins, and physical and cognitive abilities. We proudly celebrate diversity and recognize the need for representation and anti-racist efforts to achieve equity within The Children’s Heart Foundation and the field of congenital heart defect research. We pledge to work to create a more inclusive and equitable foundation for CHD patients, their families and caregivers, and CHD researchers.

Representation
We understand that representation makes a difference in care and will play a part in eradicating racial health disparities in the CHD population. We recognize that the makeup of The Children’s Heart Foundation is not fully representative of the communities we serve and are committed to improving diversity and inclusion in our governing bodies, staff, and leadership at all levels.

CHD Health Disparities
We acknowledge significant disparities in congenital heart disease in the longevity of life and operative mortality rates across diverse populations. We are committed to creating new tools and partnerships to help address those disparities that lead to disproportionate suffering and deaths among people of color.

CHD Research
We recognize CHD research has not adequately addressed these disparities, and that among researchers, underrepresented minorities face additional challenges in obtaining research funding. We are committed to ensuring that our research efforts and dollars support addressing CHD health disparities and CHD researchers from underrepresented groups.

These are the first steps in our commitment to working toward more diverse representation and equity in congenital heart defect research. Our ongoing commitment will ultimately advance the mission of The Children’s Heart Foundation, helping the 2-3 million Americans impacted by CHD live longer, healthier lives.

Meet The Team

The Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Advisory Council is dedicated to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for CHD patients, families, caregivers, and researchers, both internally at the foundation and externally.

Want to join our efforts? Email us at info@childrensheartfoundation.org.