Collective voices, healthier outcomes: the union effect in American Healthcare
Abstract Healthcare unionization is growing amid consolidation, burnout, and policy gridlock. Emerging evidence suggests unions improve healthcare delivery by enhancing worker conditions, staffing, and safety, which in turn support patient and public health outcomes. As physician organizing expands, unions play a vital role in advancing workplace standards, amplifying collective voice, and promoting a more equitable healthcare system.
Authors
- Adam Seth Litwin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3130-814X)
- Ariel C. Avgar
- Kiran Abraham-Aggarwal
- Yaminette Díaz-Linhart
Institutions
- Cornell University (US)
- New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations (US)
- Weill Cornell Medicine (US)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Health Systems
- Published
- 2026-04-07
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44401-026-00078-z
- Primary Topic
- Healthcare Policy and Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00