Working towards health equity creates equal opportunity for everybody to be healthy.
What is Health Equity?
When every person has the opportunity to realize their health potential — the highest level of health possible for that person — without limits imposed by structural inequities. Health equity means achieving the conditions in which all people have the opportunity to attain their highest possible level of health (Minnesota Department of Health)
Meeker, McLeod, and Sibley counties started the health equity coalition in hopes of creating equal opportunity for our residents to reach their maximum level of health possible, by closing avoidable health gaps related to health outcomes. The coalition works collaboratively with community partners that have interest and experience in health equity, by working together with a comprehensive approach to tackle health inequities.
Health Equity challenges that achieving the highest level of health for individuals is not always a choice or behavior change but rather affected by the factors of the Social Determinants of Health.
Social determinants of health are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
Conditions (e.g., social, economic, and physical) in these various environments and settings (e.g., school, church, workplace, and neighborhood) have been referred to as “place.” In addition to the more material attributes of “place,” the patterns of social engagement and sense of security and well-being are also affected by where people live. Resources that enhance quality of life can have a significant influence on population health outcomes.
Disparities to food and medical care
Learn More About Health Equity
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA:
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION
