The Community Liver Alliance strives to create an environment where Diversity, Equity and Inclusion flows throughout all we do. This commitment is vital because health disparity populations constitute a large proportion of patients with liver disease. During the pandemic these disparities became more apparent. As we plan our future – our responsibility to integrate DE&I in all we do is at the forefront of our strategic initiatives.  

Further, the Community Liver Alliance is dedicated to perpetually looking inside our organization to remain inclusive, diverse, relevant and responsive to the wider liver community.  To that end, we continue to create strong partnerships with organizations and individuals who enable us to meet our goals, we invest in staff and volunteer leaders to represent the people we seek to support and endeavor to understand how to best center those voices for positive change. 

We specifically mean to act on this in the following ways. 

• Increasing diversity in our workforce 
• Engaging in partnerships that parallel our values   
• Ensuring there is equitable & easier access to tools and resources for all populations, especially those typically marginalized 
• Developing an environment where every staff and partner feels like they have a true opportunity to have a place at the policymaking table 

We are engaging the Definitions of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to drive our commitment and programs: 

• Diversity includes the various perspectives, experiences, skills, strengths, cultures, personal uniqueness, and backgrounds represented in the CLA and its connected communities. 

• Equity refers to not just equality but understanding that people need to brought to the same level through increased access and opportunity.  We reject people being disadvantaged because of their social determined circumstance(s) or because of their group(s) identity. 

• Inclusion means accepting, valuing and acknowledging people’s needs, talents, values and voices of each person to grow a culture where people feel like they are valued, heard, respected and included in CLA’s mission and have real leadership opportunities. 

DE&I Opportunities 

We are creating opportunities to help build bridges to healthcare and access to services and resources. Our aim is to affect health and racial equity among the most vulnerable individuals. Evidence suggests that these populations are disproportionately affected by several common hepatic disorders, including viral hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and in particular, access to liver transplantation.  

Many of our programs will include engagement and outreach to diverse and high-risk communities.  

• To impact on health equity and racial justice, we have developed an awareness campaign to bring attention to the issues facing vulnerable populations.  
• To generate understanding within, and equally importantly, outside of the liver community.   
• To create opportunities to find meaningful and actionable solutions.