HEALTH EQUITY 101:ADDRESSING ROOT CAUSES OF HEALTH DISPARITIES

J. Nelson-Weaver, DrPH, MAHealth Partners – Buncombe County’s Healthy Carolinians coalition

What is health equity?

FairnessJusticeOpportu

nityAvailability

Equal chance

Eliminating disparities

HEALTH - not just medical care

HousingEductionAccess to careLabor or employmentTransportationHope, happiness, quality of life

Why does it matter?

More impact on health status than seeing a doctor MATCH rankings list Social and Economic

factors as highest contributor to death and disease.

www.countyhealthrankings.org The power of community context

What choices are AVAILABLE? Cost effectiveness = prevention

versus treatment Income inequality = Higher income

inequality often correlated with worse health overall.

Talking about health equity

Engaging messages All Americans should have the opportunity

to make the choices that allow them to live a long, healthy life.

Offer everyone a good chance for a healthy life.

Public Health code messages (not great to use with community members)

Eliminating health disparities Focusing in the Social Determinants of Health

Be strategic in how you talk about it! Crafting engaging messages is

critical. Be aware of “frames.” Equity ≠ Equality Remember personal

responsibility / behavior Resource: Robert Wood Johnson

Foundation http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=66428

Health Equity Strategiesfrom the NC Prevention Plan * Promote economic security

Increase use of the Earned Income Tax Credit Increase awareness of eligibility for federal services

Increase availability of affordable housing and utilities

Expand opportunities for high quality early childhood education and health programs

* Increase high school graduation rate Example =Wake County school assignment

economic integration – be aware of the messaging!http://www.nciom.org/projects/prevention/

finalreport/Prevention-Chpt11.pdf

Sample Health Equity Measures to drive Strategies See handout Income Inequality – Gini Index

Table B19083 of ACS % of population using more

than 30% of their income for rent Possible Strategy –

VITA sites to expand use of the earned income tax credit.

http://www.cbpp.org/eic2009/calculator/

Contact

J. Nelson-Weaver, Executive DirectorHealth Partners(Healthy Carolinians of Buncombe County)828.250.5205j.nelson-weaver@healthpartnerswnc.org