Real change requires sustained commitment and vision – two things that have never been in short supply at Johnson & Johnson. For 134 years, a convergence of different cultures, backgrounds, and ways of thinking has enabled Johnson & Johnson to deliver transformative healthcare solutions that drive successful business outcomes. The challenges we face as a global society demand that we prioritize diversity and inclusion in every decision we make.
The world has changed dramatically since we launched our inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Impact Review. This year, we have been confronted with two enormous threats to human health: the COVID-19 pandemic, and the undeniable reality of systemic racism. Now is the time to mobilize as a Company and as individuals to promote racial and social justice in the United States and around the world, even more intensively and persistently than we have done so far. We build on our longstanding mission to create a healthier world, as well as a more inclusive and equitable one, and our commitment to DEI is a clear expression of that. We are well placed to work across boundaries and borders to drive change for good. And while disruption and upheaval are challenging, it also creates opportunities to think and act differently. In this new world, that’s exactly what we are doing.
We have long worked to address health inequities and COVID-19 makes this work all the more urgent, especially in communities of color. We are supporting underserved communities through new programs aimed at gaining stronger data and insights, driving education and awareness and increasing access to testing and health services. We are increasing the enrollment of underrepresented populations in clinical trials through outreach, partnership and education across the United States. We continue to work with thought leaders and partners in the areas of policy, economics, community, healthcare, education and training. Building on our work with the Business Roundtable (BRT), earlier this year we established a dedicated DEI Working Group with the top DEI leaders from BRT member companies.
True innovation happens when people with different perspectives and unique lived experiences come together to try to solve problems. That’s why diversity and inclusion isn’t just good for society, it’s good for business—and essential to creating a healthier, more equitable world for everyone.
Recently, we made a further, bold commitment to amplify our role in addressing racial and social inequities across the United States. Our new Race to Health Equity platform frames a new set of actions that we at Johnson & Johnson commit to undertaking to change the landscape of social justice for the better.
Our purpose-driven work across the entire spectrum of healthcare continues to change the lives of billions around the world, and this is possible because our 137,000 employees bring their best, most authentic selves to work every day.
I hope you will be encouraged – and inspired – by our progress and the stories in this year’s Impact Review. I am confident we will continue this momentum.
Alex Gorsky
Chairman and CEO