As 2023 comes to a close, a keyword foundational to public health that keeps emerging across the field is “partnerships”.
Reflection and Vision - Transforming Public Health
Developing an Action Plan with a Health Equity Lens
Perhaps you are at the point where program or initiative is being planned or revised to address identified issues, priorities have been determined to address those issues, and now the task at hand is to develop an action plan to address those priorities and issues. But first, to move forward, it is important to recognize that to make an impact on priority issues/problems, addressing health inequities and their root causes are key.
Building the Public Health Workforce: Now and in the Future
The health of communities where we live, work, learn, and play now and in the future is dependent on many key factors, including the capacity of the public health workforce. In a period of rising healthcare costs, increasing health inequities, increasing racial and ethnic disparities, as well as a targeted focus on population health and healthcare reform, leadership is central to the future of public health. Leadership is essential to effectively address the social determinants of health (SDOH) that contribute to health equities, including institutional barriers.
Health Inequities Show True Colors in Unprecedented Times
As March 2020 comes to a close, the world is experiencing unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 does not discriminate and people of all color, races, gender, income, celebrity status, religion, geographic locations are being impacted worldwide. However, what does discriminate and is showing its true colors, is health inequity.
Data Collection as Strategy to Achieve Health Equity
The world we live in today is run by data, from smartphones to smartwatches to Google maps. Data plays a key role in understanding the health status of individuals and populations. A growing body of data highlights the link between health inequities and social needs (e.g. housing, food, income) and social determinants of health, conditions where people live, work, learn, work and play affect health risks and outcomes.[i] “Without a clear understanding of existing health inequities, well-intentioned strategies may have no effect on or could even widen health inequities.”[ii]