BUKATA HAYES

BUKATA HAYES TAKES ON RACIAL AND HEALTH EQUITY

By MARIE WOOD

Bukata Hayes of Mankato knows the score. As a Black man, he has a lower life expectancy than white men. African Americans are at a higher risk for heart diseases, cancer and diabetes. Health statistics like these are common across BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities.

“Addressing racism as a public health crisis means we have to do some courageous and bold work,” Bukata said. Since March 2021, Bukata Hayes has been vice president of racial and health equity at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. The largest nonprofit health insurance plan in the state is leading the way in racial and health equity and Bukata is steering the effort. “Blue Cross had been doing impactful work around health equity for a decade plus. Then COVID-19 exposed deep racial inequities. It made a very disproportionate impact in terms of hospitalizations and who was dying from it,” he said. As executive director of Greater Mankato Diversity Council for 15 years, Bukata helped make our region a more inclusive and equitable place for people of color and LGBTQIA+. Promoting racial and health equity is about opening up access to health care, removing barriers and having culturally concordant care that will create better health outcomes. “You can’t do that without addressing large-scale systemic issues that impede folks to have access to that continuum of care,” he said. Data on healthcare inequities and gaps in care are widespread. Nationally, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Black infant mortality rates – deaths within the first year of life – are two times that of white infants.

“That’s actually people experiencing those gaps and inequities,” Bukata said. Why is this happening? Variations in quality healthcare, underlying chronic conditions and structural racism are some factors. Social determinants of health – poverty, education, access to care, zip code – prevent many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical and emotional health.

Solutions

Blue Cross is making a multi-million dollar investment to end health disparities in Minnesota. Having lived in Mankato for 30 years, Bukata understands the needs of Greater Minnesota.

Blue Cross is taking a two-prong approach. First, they are seeking communityled solutions and raising the voice of the people and communities experiencing inequities. Second, Blue Cross is addressing the issue from within by looking to Bukata to apply a racial and health equity lens to every aspect of its work and culture. A special focus is being placed on enhancing health plans to 

QA+

What can we do to eliminate racism?

Be willing to listen, learn and act. That’s what we all can do. A quote that guides me comes from Lilla Watson, “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”

What makes you thrive?

My family first. What helps me thrive is the connection to family and relationships. I am a son of my mother and father, husband to Lisa and father to Damani, Jalen, Zavier, and Zuri. Second, working to build a more inclusive environment and community grows from those relationships. I understand the experience my mother and father had in this nation. How do we craft a more equitable and inclusive environment so the experience of my mother and father isn’t passed down to future generations? Staying grounded in that work helps me thrive.

How do you stay healthy?

I enjoy basketball and going to work out and train with my boys and baby girl. I try to watch what I eat. I take vitamins and other supplements. I try to laugh and enjoy life and emotionally stay connected to life. Laughing, crying. I’m an emotional guy. I don’t stifle that.