Advancing Health Equity - Outcomes Reported From a Community-Based Health Equity Project in Connecticut

Ten local public health agencies used an innovative web-based tool called the Health Equity Index to access specific localized data about their towns and neighborhoods. The Index data provided an analysis of health disparities and the quality of life or conditions in their communities, and allowed comparison between neighborhoods, towns, and a state reference point. The profile of community conditions included measures of housing, education, employment, environmental quality, safety, economic security, and civic engagement, in relation to health outcomes. Three sites worked intensively with the tool and implemented a workforce development training component for health department staff, focusing on the social determinants of health and use of the Index. The Index was used to communicate with community members and leaders to focus efforts on improvement of public health policies and practices. Seventy-nine percent of the project leadership and employees reported that the project approach contributed support towards a collective social justice movement focused on health equity. Fifty-seven percent reported the approach useful to local health department staff in demonstrating the connection between social determinants of health and health outcomes, 43% stated it was useful in working with the general public, and 33% reported utility in working with policy makers. Additional evaluation findings will be shared related to workforce development and communication activities to engage community partners.