NEWS
Addressing health equity is a public health priority
Health equity is fundamental to living a good life and building a vibrant society and has become a familiar term in public health . The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health ( BPH ) strives for the highest possible standard for the health of its communities , especially those at greater risk of poor health based on social determinants .
BPH ’ s Office of Community Health Systems and Health Promotion , Marshall University Minority Health Institute , and the West Virginia Prevention Research Center are participating in the West Virginia Healthy Equity Action Team ( WV HEAT ) led by Jessica Wright , director of the Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease . WV HEAT is assessing how state health officials can address equity among populations identified as disparate . Although programs are funded categorically , most staff could improve collaboration between programs to address the same populations identified as being in need .
Members of WV HEAT partake in the weekly COVID-19 Disparities Task Force meetings facilitated by the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs . WV HEAT will continue to collaborate with the task force by recruiting participants for focus groups and promoting mini grants . Trainings for WV HEAT members and project funding are provided by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors , with additional support from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement toward project implementation . WV HEAT project actions include :
• Improving identification of West Virginia populations experiencing health disparities by identifying and including data sources and surveillance used by different BPH offices
• Providing mini grants to minority communities to address racial inequities and improve health , as well as work to increase funding streams to expand this opportunity
• Including equity as a BPH accreditation priority
BPH is currently seeking accreditation through the National Public Health Accreditation Board and will implement equity priorities in areas to improve processes . Protocols from other states are being reviewed and considered for adoption to meaningfully address health inequities in West Virginia .
As West Virginia moves forward in making system changes addressing equity issues , BPH will continue to provide support and resources to organizations and communities to improve the health of those most affected .
For more information , contact Jessica Wright , director of BPH ’ s Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease , at Jessica . G . Wright @ wv . gov or ( 304 ) 356-4913 .
West Virginia Medical Journal • March 2021 • 43