Health Equity Exchange

The Health Equity Exchange is a space to voice comments,
ideas, and questions related to health equity.

As most of us know, health disparities continue to undermine opportunities for economic and social development of too many communities in the United States. Health disparities are “differences that ought not to be (Robinson, 2009)”; they are diseases or health conditions that discriminate, and tend to be more common and/or more severe among vulnerable and underserved groups. Health disparities are linked to diverse factors, including socio-economic conditions; race; ethnicity; culture; social status; friendliness (or lack of ) of clinical settings; housing; education; physical and social environment, etc. The influence and importance of each of these factors is likely to be community-specific, and vary from place to place. Health equity is a key goal to which we should all aspire. Health equity is the ability of every person to have the same chance to stay healthy and/or “to attain his/her full health potential (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- CDC, 2012)” at times of disease and crisis – regardless of his/her race, gender, age, economic conditions, social status, environment, and other socially determined factors.

Yet, as “health equity” is a new and complex concept, it’s important that communities and professionals from different sectors become engaged in defining it in their own terms and establishing key priorities toward progress. Because of the many factors contributing to health disparities, such priorities are set to be different in different communities. This Health Equity Exchange has been designed to further the discussion on health equity.

We want to hear about your communities as well as your input on strategies, priorities and potential actions that may help advance health equity in your cities. Your opinion is important to us and will help inform future programs and policies! Together – we can raise the influence of community voices on health equity!

Health Equity Exchange is specific to the United States and seeks to promote the involvement of different ethnic, vulnerable and/or under-served communities across the country – as well as the community organizations that attend them! Please share your ideas with us!

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NEW! To download a free copy of the Health Equity Exchange Campus Kit please click here! The kit is designed to enable college students and their groups to engage nearby communities on sharing their ideas on the Exchange, and joining across sectors, pooling resources and mobilizing for a common cause!

Participate in our April SHARE-A-THON and let us know what you think! Help us encourage community members to comment on the Exchange! Thank you in advance for your efforts to help raise the influence of community voices on health equity!

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We Need A Social Movement for Health Equity! Here Are 5 Easy Ways You Can Help in 2012!

Read about our inaugural 2012 post and call to action!  Happy 2012 from all us at HEI…and get involved!

What are the top 3 priorities?

What are the top 3 priorities that need to be addressed to make
progress towards health equity in your community?

What does health equity mean to you?

Join the discussion and let us know what health equity means to you.