203996 Advancing health equity and social justice in a state health department

Wednesday, November 11, 2009: 12:30 PM

Michael Royster, MD, MPH , Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, VA
Karen Reed, MA , Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, VA
Kathy H. Wibberly, PhD , Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, VA
     
Introduction: One of the overarching goals of Healthy People 2010 is to eliminate health disparities. Nationwide many of the most striking disparities in health exist by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and place of residence. These differences in health status are rooted in social inequalities that lead to unfair distribution of social, economic, and political resources and opportunities. The Virginia Department of Health Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy (OMHPHP) is using a novel approach among state health departments to advance health equity by targeting the social determinants of health (SDOH) and promoting social justice.

Approach: OMHPHP serves as the State Office of Rural Health, the State Primary Care Office, and the State Office of Minority Health. At the core of the Office's approach is the use of geographical information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis to define the distribution of health, disease, and SDOH; and to identify subjurisdictional high priority target areas (HPTA). OMHPHP uses HPTA to enhance the designation of underserved areas and to develop comprehensive models of health care based on distance, provider distribution, and fragmentation barriers to health care access. HPTA data identifies census tracts and block groups facing poor health outcomes and adverse SDOH. Such data identify priority areas for OMHPHP to support the development of community-based participatory approaches to promote community health. Finally, OMHPHP is pilot testing the use of health impact assessment (HIA) and intersectoral governmental collaboration to influence state policy development to promote health equity.

Conclusion: In order to eliminate health inequities, efforts must be expanded beyond the traditional focus on health care and behavior change to include a focus on addressing the broader social determinants of health. This framework is in keeping with the emerging priorities for Healthy People 2020. The OMHPHP approach to health equity will be discussed in this session.

Learning Objectives:
1. This session will describe the approach used by The Virginia Department of Health Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy to promote health equity. 2. The session will discuss strategies to coordinate the functions of a State Office of Rural Health, State Primary Care Office and State Office of Minority Health to promote health equity. 3. The session will discuss the roles of a state health department in targeting the social determinants of health. 4. The session will identify barriers to such an approach within a state health department and the context of state government.

Keywords: Health Departments, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the director of the Virginia Department of Health Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy. I am also an adjunct clinical assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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