New voices join A Million Conversations
Shahir, Guadalupe and Florian in Canada and MexicoAs our initiative to rebuild trust in healthcare expands, we’re proud to announce the establishment of an Advisory Group with a membership of experts from all around the world.
People from marginalized groups are losing trust in the healthcare system – and it’s affecting their health outcomes.
Our research shows that people from under-represented groups have had their trust in healthcare eroded, with women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQ+ reporting high levels of negative experiences.
We must close this trust gap, and by building a more inclusive, more representative healthcare sector, we believe we can drive positive and lasting change.
How we’re taking action
In 2023, we launched the A Million Conversations initiative. It’s a €50m investment which aims to empower people from marginalized communities to speak directly to the healthcare industry, and to grow a pipeline of diverse healthcare leaders.
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We are working with non-profit organizations, activists, businesses and governments to research the causes of the trust gap.
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We are running hundreds of events where people who have experienced discrimination in healthcare can share their experiences to help change policy and attitudes.
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And through the Sanofi NexGen Scholarship, we’re offering students from marginalized communities financial support, mentorship and training to pursue a career in healthcare, in partnership with leading higher education institutions.
Introducing the Advisory Group
Now, as the initiative enters its second year, we’re adding more voices to the conversation. We’re proud to announce the A Million Conversations Advisory Group – a collective of inspirational leaders from the fields of healthcare, academia, advocacy and research, who are committed to helping make healthcare more accessible and more equitable for all.
These ten change-makers, who are providing their time and expertise voluntarily, will help shape the direction of our work in AMC. The Advisory Group members are committed to producing evidence-based and consensus-led outputs, to help drive change. The group is convened by The Health Policy Partnership, which also provides secretariat support.
To truly earn trust and foster inclusivity, we need action and accountability, not just words. This initiative is a catalyst for change, building on dialogues to create innovative and impactful actions. I’m looking forward to collaborating with other members of the A Million Conversations Advisory Group.
Marisa Miraldo PhD
Professor of Health Economics and an Academic Director at Imperial College Business School, London (ICBS)
Meet the Advisory Group Members
Elizabeth Adams is the former President of the European Federation of Nurse Associations. She has developed numerous programs related to inclusive care.
Jabeer Butt OBE is Chief Executive of the Race Equality Foundation, and a Vice President of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Kristi Mitchell is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Health Equity Outcomes, a non-profit organization which aims to reduce racial disparities in healthcare.
Professor Marisa Miraldo PhD is Professor of Health Economics and an Academic Director at Imperial College Business School, London.
Professor Phillip Della AM PhD FACN has a distinguished career in nursing spanning more than 40 years, during which he has led major reforms to legislation and policy.
Made Wikandana (known as Wikan) is a writer, speaker, thought leader and prominent disability rights advocate with international experience in championing inclusive healthcare.
Dr Kristine Sørensen PhD is President of the International Health Literacy Association and Chair of Health Literacy Europe.
Dr Racky Ka-Sy PhD is a social psychologist, independent researcher, consultant and therapist.
Tuisina Ymania Brown is the Co-Secretary for General, International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) World and Chair of the newly formed TransEquality Council for Equality Australia.
Dr Mariagrazia Squicciarini is the Chief of Executive Office at the Social and Human Sciences Sector of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
