Focusing on the connection between health equity and equal opportunity, the National Academy of Medicine’s Culture of Health program has released a new report, titled “Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity.” The report highlights how health disparities, including those delineated by race, can result in “lost lives, wasted potential, and squandered resources,” and are projected to cost $337 billion between 2009 and 2018.
“Communities in Action” spotlights programs in Indianapolis, Buffalo, Minneapolis, San Antonio, and Los Angeles that are “creating pathways to health equity” that extend “well beyond access to health insurance.” These include addressing transportation issues, improving education, and creating more access to healthy food options. Community, social connectedness, and stakeholder involvement are common factors across all of the programs showcased in the report.
Delaware is also addressing the critical social determinants of health through DCHI’s Healthy Neighborhoods initiative, which creates sustainable interventions to improve health in communities across the state. Visit Healthy Neighborhoods for more information and details on past and upcoming Healthy Neighborhoods meetings.
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