Taking steps towards health equity
The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated multiple health disparities and inequities across various communities across the country. These inequities affected people from racial and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, women, people who are LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or other and friends of), people with limited English proficiency, and those which may also be affected by various social determinants of health (SDOH). These layered health and social inequities, as complex as they may be, will help us better understand how to promote health equity and improve health outcomes.
Health equity is about fairness and justice, requiring communities to work together to change policies and practices in order to ensure access, resources, and opportunities that contribute to overall health and wellbeing for everyone. This includes providing access to safe and affordable housing, quality education, a living wage, healthy and affordable food, transportation, social connections, safe communities and other factors.
 |
But beyond naming it, just how are changes to health inequities actually made? Leaders in health, health care, and organizations, such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the World Health Organization, Kaiser Permanente, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are actively sharing knowledge and practices to make health equity achievable for others. These leaders are joining forces to combat this complex issue. For example, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) recently announced a partnership with the CDC's Office of Health Equity (OHE) to prioritize health equity during emergency responses. Moreover, ASTHO, the CDC Foundation, RWFJ, and Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) have partnered through the Strategies to Repair Equity and Transform Community Health (STRECH) Initiative, as well as created an online community through My.ASHTO, an open online forum for anyone to share public health related health equity information.
While the elimination of health disparities is a multifaceted issue involving many different partnerships, intricacies, and focuses, some beginning key elemental steps to begin addressing inequities can be summarized as follows:
-
Identify Inequities: Recognize oppressive systems and implicit biases, analyze measurable data, and engage with communities purposefully to listen to their experiences and needs.
-
Implement Solutions: Introduce new laws, policies, and strategies, along with practical tools and resources (such as providing a bus schedule), to eliminate the unfair conditions that create inequities. Acknowledge and address historical injustices as well.
-
Measure Progress: Continuously collect data and engage actively with communities to track progress and changes. Ensure that all communities and groups are included in these discussions.
-
Evaluate and Adjust: Regularly evaluate strategies at specified intervals and make necessary course corrections based on the data and community feedback.
Utilize resources
There are many additional resources to help create and/or initiate the use a health equity lens when developing emergency preparedness plans, planning preparedness exercises, generating information and emergency communications, or focusing on community recovery. Reviewing existing resources and recommendations is a great way to take steps down the path of health equity and define the tools that work best for your organization.
Start with the basics
What is Health Equity? | Health Equity | CDC
CDC’s CORE Commitment to Health Equity | Health Equity | CDC
Health Equity Fact Sheet (hhs.gov) | ASPR
Health Equity in Healthy People 2030 - Healthy People 2030 | Health.gov
Healthcare Ready Equity Framework | HealthCareReady.org
Stakeholder-Engagement-Field-Guide.pdf | CommunityWealth.com
Emergency preparedness
Developing Emergency Preparedness Plans with a Health Equity Focus - NACCHO
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Disaster Planning and Response | SAMHSA
4 ways to integrate equity into public health emergency response | American Medical Association
Federal Emergency Management Agency Equity Action Plan | FEMA
Mission Possible: Preparing and Responding to Disasters through a Health Equity Lens | Blogs | CDC
Achieving Equitable Recovery: A Post-Disaster Guide for Local Officials and Leaders | FEMA
Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection to Equity | FEMA
Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide | FEMA
Embedding Equity into Emergency Operations 2020 | Bay Area Regional Health Initiative.
Working with marginalized/at-risk groups
Planning for an Emergency: Strategies for Identifying and Engaging At-Risk Groups | CDC
Disability Inclusion as a Cornerstone for Health Equity | Health Equity Features | CDC
Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication | Gateway to Health Communication | CDC
Planning for an Emergency: Strategies for Identifying and Engaging At-Risk Groups | CDC
Capacity-Building Toolkit for including Aging & Disability Networks in Emergency Planning (naccho.org) | NACCHO
LGBTQI+ Community Members and Disaster Preparedness and Response | ASPR TRACIE
Michigan recourses
Office of Equity and Minority Health | Michigan.gov
Federally Recognized Tribes in Michigan | Michigan.gov
The Center for Health Equity Practice (CHEP) | MPHI
|
