ICCHNR Endorses the NHS Race and Health Observatory Anti-Racism Principles

The International Collaboration for Community Health Nursing Research (ICCHNR) is pleased to endorse the NHS Race and Health Observatory’s Anti-Racism Principles and the wider commitment to addressing racism and racial inequalities across health and social care systems.

These principles provide an important framework for organisations seeking to create equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist cultures through leadership, accountability, meaningful engagement, data transparency, and continuous reflection and improvement.

ICCHNR recognises that racism remains a significant determinant of health, wellbeing, workforce experience, and health outcomes globally. As an international organisation committed to advancing community health nursing research, education, and practice, we support initiatives that promote equity, challenge discrimination, and foster inclusive environments for patients, communities, researchers, educators, and healthcare professionals.

Following formal approval by the ICCHNR Trustees, ICCHNR endorses the following principles:

1. Demonstrate leadership by naming racism.
2. Understand and acknowledge racism and its impacts.
3. Meaningfully involve racially minoritised individuals and communities.
4. Collect and publish data to support transparency and accountability.
5. Identify and address racial bias.
6. Apply a race-critical lens to policies, practices, and decision-making.
7. Evaluate progress and reflect on learning and impact.

Professor Gina Awoko Higginbottom MBE, PhD, FQICN, FAAN, Co-Director of ICCHNR, said:

“ICCHNR is proud to endorse the NHS Race and Health Observatory’s Anti-Racism Principles. These principles provide a clear and practical framework for addressing racism, advancing equity, and strengthening accountability across health and social care. While originally developed within the UK regulatory context, their relevance extends internationally. As a global organisation committed to excellence in community health nursing research, education, and practice, ICCHNR encourages nursing organisations, professional associations, research institutes, universities, healthcare providers, and regulatory bodies worldwide to adopt and embed these principles within their own structures and decision-making processes. Meaningful progress requires collective leadership, sustained commitment, and the courage to challenge systemic inequities wherever they exist.”