Much of what influences a person’s health happens outside clinics and hospitals. In fact, it’s what’s happening in our everyday lives – our environment and the resources available to us. Access to housing, food, education, or sense of belonging in society are different for everybody, and they all impact health.
These factors are called social determinants of health (SDOH). By recognizing their influence on health and our ability to change them, we can create health equity.
Health equity definition
The CDC defines health equity as the opportunity for all people to obtain their highest level of health regardless of where they live or their personal stories.
Jess Gaffney, director of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (HEDI) at Marshfield Clinic Health System, said focusing on health equity helps us uphold our mission to enrich lives.
“When we recognize that each patient has a unique life with unique circumstances, we can better care for them as a whole person,” Gaffney said.
Offering access to healthy foods, education and stable housing, or ensuring fair policies, programs and opportunities for all community members brings us closer to our highest level of health.
Health disparities definition
One of the most positive outcomes of communities addressing health equity is the reduction of health disparities.
“Health care disparities,” according to the CDC, “are preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations.”
When health disparities are present, health outcomes are worse. Sometimes these outcomes are noticeable within certain zip codes, genders or races. Health disparities can impact a person’s quality and length of life.
Health disparities in rural communities
In Wisconsin, you may notice rural health disparities of your own. Here, communities tend to have less access to health care or public health services than urban populations.
Other factors that might impact health in rural communities are socio-economic status, health related behaviors like tobacco use or exercise, or distance from specialized services.
Local health equity efforts
Healthcare providers alone cannot solve health equity issues. However, it is important for them to be strong, dependable partners on the issue, Gaffney added. This includes working together with community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations, employers, public health agencies and policy makers to address community needs. She noted Marshfield Clinic Health System has taken several steps in this respect.
“We developed our equity and inclusion statement to proudly share our commitment to improving health equity,” Gaffney said. “We want to ensure that Marshfield Clinic Health System is a place where patients and employees are treated with respect.”
By working with community-based organizations, HEDI is addressing numerous social determinants of health right here where we live.
“This past year, we began working with findhelp. It’s an online social care network where people can search for the help they need with dignity,” Gaffney added.
To learn more about health equity or find resources, visit Caring for Communities.
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