Richard E. Besser, MD
Latest Perspectives
Racism in Medical Journals, and in Medicine
In a letter to the editor, RWJF President and CEO Richard Besser, Trustee David Williams, and Alumna Risa Lavizzo-Mourey note that medical journals understate and don't adequately connect systemic racism and health. They emphasize—as they did in a New England Journal of Medicine commentary—that we must fund and encourage research that explores why skin color has an outsized impact on how well and long a person lives.
Latest Op-Eds
What budget reconciliation could have been and what Congress must do next
The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act is a moment to celebrate—the investments in climate change and healthcare needs alone are historic. But we shouldn't lose sight of how the ambitious legislation envisioned last fall—including everything from paid family and medical leave to the extended Child Tax Credit and more—was sacrificed because of the politics of the moment.
An avoidable hunger crisis still looms for millions of children: Opinion
As leaders of two nonprofit organizations committed to healthy school
meals as integral to children’s learning and overall wellbeing, Richard
Besser and Nancy Brown, CEO of the AHA, explain why this bill ensuring that children could continue to receive meals at no cost be a through summer and extended some waivers through next school year first step not be a final one.
More From Rich
The Debate Over the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency is Failing America
The work toward equity that awaits a pandemic-weary nation: ANALYSIS
What the Child Tax Credit Fight Says about America
Why it's impossible for some people to follow Covid-19 guidelines
America must lead the world to defeat COVID. Here are five ways to win
To transform public health, we must reimagine our data systems
Equity must be a guidepost for Congress on reconciliation
America is designed to have a housing crisis: Opinion
School meals should remain free for all children—today and always
To end America's maternal mortality crisis, dismantle the racism that fuels it
The big problem with 'herd immunity'
Solving America's public health crisis means addressing historic inequities
It's time for FDA to end the tobacco epidemic
To defeat COVID-19, remember the children and don't let down your guard
American Rescue Plan is a down payment on an equitable America
Here's what we need to do to prevent another pandemic from devastating the vulnerable
COVID recovery requires addressing economic inequities
COVID-19 vaccine rollout needs a shot of equity
The CDC was damaged by marginalization and politicization. This is how Biden can fix it.
Pressure won’t help build vaccine trust
Dr. Richard Besser: Despite coronavirus, science is NOT telling us to close schools
Covid-19 tsunami of suffering: The pandemic isn’t pausing; U.S. shouldn’t either
After Trumps' diagnosis: Vaccine or not, COVID-19 isn’t going away
COVID in the White House Should be America’s Wake-Up Call
We Can't Allow the CDC to be Tainted by Politics
The pandemic shows America can't afford its dysfunctional health insurance system
We ran the CDC. No president ever politicized its science the way Trump has.
In our divided red and blue nation, coronavirus data is a uniting purple
We Ran the CDC. Here’s How to Talk to the Public in a Health Crisis.
On coronavirus, we know who will pay the price when states reopen before they should
Disabled Americans can't be a COVID-19 afterthought
Coronavirus Pandemic Highlights Insufficient Health Equity
As coronavirus spreads, the bill for our public health failures is due
Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy
Opinion: Housing affordability crisis goes well beyond homes
2018
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: We honored sports teams with racist mascots. Not anymore.
New Year's Resolution for Policymakers: Make Coverage Affordable
2017
Despite progress, the health of our nation’s children is at risk
Opinion: Progress on Child Poverty but 'Families are Still Struggling'
In a letter to the editor of the New York Times, Richard Besser describes poverty as a sign of societal indifference and neglect that we can no longer tolerate.
Opinion: The Problems with U.S. Healthcare
In a letter to the editor of The Washington Post, Richard Besser and President and Chief Executive of the NAACP Derrick Johnson describe Medicaid expansion as a historic opportunity that would result in higher rates of coverage, fewer premature deaths, narrowing of racial health disparities and increased economic activity. Yet 12 states continue to perpetuate the Medicaid coverage gap, denying 2.2 million people—disproportionately people of color and low incomes—quality healthcare coverage.
"I have all too often observed that conversations about health equity
ignore disability issues. We must shift the narrative about social
justice to incorporate disability inclusion."
We Know How to Fight Poverty. So Let's Fight
"We pediatricians, and others who provide care to children, bear witness each day to how poverty can devastate a life that has only just begun. We have diagnosed the problem to death. Now it’s time to take up the fight."