# Living the Mission in Health and Business to Achieve Health Equity

By Brian Urban · Published 2023-09-20 · Updated 2026-07-23 · Healthcare on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/healthcare/living-the-mission-in-health-and-business-to-achieve-health-equity

> Healthcare leaders face a trillion-dollar wake-up call if they don't address the growing disparities dividing their industry

## Key points

- Health disparities could cost the economy $451 billion annually, potentially rising to $1 trillion by 2040.

As health disparities come under the spotlight, the urgency to achieve health equity in the healthcare sector intensifies. With the industry at a crossroads, a recent study funded by the NIH highlighted the staggering economic impact of these disparities, revealing an estimated cost of [$451 billion](https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-funded-study-highlights-financial-toll-health-disparities-united-states#:~:text=The%20study%2C%20funded%20by%20the,of%20%24320%20billion%20in%202014.) to the economy in 2018 alone. That figure could jump as high as [$1 trillion annually](https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/health-care/economic-cost-of-health-disparities.html) in spending by 2040 if the problem is left unsolved.

> That figure could jump as high as $1 trillion annually in spending by 2040 if the problem is left unsolved.

Are leading healthcare organizations stepping up to address this challenge? If so, what innovative strategies are reshaping the future to achieve [health equity](https://marketscale.com/industries/healthcare/access-to-healthcare-improves-health-outcomes-for-vulnerable-youth-in-foster-care/)?

On [Healthcare Rethink](https://finthrive.com/resources/watch-listen), host [Brian Urban](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-urban-8416b571/) sat down with **Sameer Kokan**, VP and Chief of Staff to the CEO at **Point32Health**. This episode explores **Point32Health**'s transformative approaches to health equity.

Urban and Kokan's discussion includes the following:

- The significance of health equity in modern healthcare and its economic implications
- The industry's response and commitment to addressing health disparities
- The role of innovative strategies and public accountability in driving health equity initiatives

With a rich background spanning various facets of healthcare, **Sameer Kokan** offers invaluable insights. From aspiring to be a physician to pivoting towards the business side of healthcare, Kokan's diverse experiences mark the path of his journey. At **Point32Health**, he champions the cause of health equity, emphasizing the need for collaborative and data-driven approaches.

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