The coronavirus disease 2019 mortality rate among Black adults in the U.S. is double that of other racial and ethnic groups. The current pandemic is re‐illuminating health inequities that are pervasive in our society and reflected in our health system. This creative controversy describes critical conversations needed within nursing to acknowledge the contribution of structural racism to health equity. We recommend implementing structural competency into nursing education and prioritizing nursing research and policies focused on health equity and community‐based interventions.

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More rigorous scientific investigation is needed to ensure that these community health programs are effective and have measurable outcomes. Nursing is well positioned, considering the metaparadigm concepts that guide practice, to forge this research. Nursing scientists could fill the gap in knowledge related to community health program outcomes in low- to middle-income countries while achieving global objectives focused on decreasing noncommunicable disease burden.

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