Equity ARC: March 2017

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March 2017

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Raising the Bar 

for All

This year we are celebrating our 10th Anniversary by continuing to connect and build with others to advance equity. Join us!

 

Center for Health Equity

400 East Gray Street

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

502-574-6682

 

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Connect with us

Find us on Twitter & Instagram @louequity  

Join the conversation #LouEquity

bit.ly/LouEquity

 

healthequity@louisvilleky.gov


502-574-6616

County Health Rankings

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released their newest County Health Rankings last week. Out of Kentucky’s 120 counties, Jefferson County is ranked 28th overall for health outcomes, and 57th for health factors. Health outcomes include premature death, low birth weight babies, and self-reported quality of life and health. Health factors include smoking, obesity, food environment index, and physical inactivity. There is additional county-level data for several other factors related to health including clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment that were not included in the overall ranking.

Using data to understand health challenges helps to focus resources and efforts to improve health. This summer, the third iteration of the Health Equity Report will be released which will show sub-county differences in health outcomes and health related factors. This year’s report will also take an in-depth look at the relationship between several newly included health outcomes and many social determinants of health, including food systems and financial security. Stay tuned! 


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Redlining Community Dialogue April 26

In February 2017, Louisville Forward released historical maps identifying which areas in the city were redlined by bankers through the 1930s and 1940s. For those living in areas redlined, or areas identified as having too high of an African-American and/or low-income population, were not able to obtain loans for home ownership during a time when home ownership was building a substantial middle-class. In releasing these maps, we have direct access to critical, historical documents shown alongside current maps of race, property values, poverty, vacant properties and more. The Center for Health Equity has partnered with the division of Redevelopment Strategies in Louisville Forward, Greater Louisville Project, Urban League, Metropolitan Housing Coalition, Human Relations Commission, and YouthBuild to host one of three Community Dialogues.

On April 26, CHE and YouthBuild Louisville will cohost a Community Dialogue to discuss the recently-released Louisville redlining maps. At this program, we seek to build community capacity by outlining the impact of significant systemic barriers, such as redlining, on health outcomes and its particular impact on young people. Join us at YouthBuild (800 S. Preston St.) on 4/26 from 5:30-7p


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UN Women, Changing World of Work


Women at Work

In March we recognize Women’s History Month. The first International Women’s Day (observed on March 8) was held in 1911 and has evolved over time. The United Nations describes it as a day that “first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe…it is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”

One focus during this Women’s History Month is the work of women across the world and the shifting realities of that work. Take a moment today to learn about the work women are responsible for around the world, and what changes can be made to advance equity. You can learn more here, including about issues such as: 

  • Unpaid Work: From cooking and cleaning, to fetching water and firewood or taking care of children and the elderly, women bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid work across the world. Unpaid work supports the economy and often fills in for lack of public expenditures on social services and infrastructure.
  • Parental Leave: Parental leave policies that enable both partners to share childcare responsibilities play a critical role in ensuring the personal and economic well being of women, families and societies.

We advocate for policies like this because we know policies and societal structures that women navigate have significant impacts on their health. The degree to which workers feel a sense of control over their work can impact mental health and well being. And, of course, gender-based discrimination in the work-place can have long-lasting negative health impacts on women of any race. Read more about women’s safety and health issues at work. We celebrate the work that women do to make our community a better place!