What event highlighted the need for health equity in health care, sparking the addition of the quintuple aim?

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly illuminated the existing disparities in health care access and outcomes, demonstrating the urgent need for health equity across various populations. During the pandemic, certain groups, particularly those from marginalized communities, experienced higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and mortality. This situation spotlighted not only the structural inequities within the health care system but also how social determinants of health, such as income, education, and living conditions, profoundly influence health outcomes.

In response to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19, the concept of the quintuple aim was introduced. This framework expands upon the original triple aim of improving patient experience, improving population health, and reducing costs, by adding the dimensions of addressing health equity and enhancing the work life of health care providers. This evolution reflects the recognition that achieving true health equity is essential for improving overall health outcomes and rebuilding trust in the health care system.

The pandemic served as a catalyst for this broader perspective, leading to a conscious effort to integrate health equity into health care policy and practice, ensuring that all individuals receive fair opportunities to achieve their best health outcomes.