Between the Lines: Addressing Health Inequities in Communities of Color Through Multi-Ethnic, Cross-Neighborhood Coalition Building

Issues: The North Dorchester community of Boston, MA is comprised of multiple sub-neighborhoods. Over 80% of the residents are people of color, consisting of a diverse range of ethnicities. Residents are impacted by racism and poor socio-economic conditions, causing mental health issues, increases in community violence and high rates of STI’s. Sub- neighborhoods tend to work independently and existing data fails to capture inequities and cultural differences between ethnic groups.

Description: With the help of a community organizer, Boston Alliance for Community Health (BACH), a diverse city-wide partnership of neighborhood coalitions and other community-based partners working to improve community health in Boston, initiated a multi-ethnic coalition inclusive of four sub-neighborhoods in North Dorchester. Utilizing a health equity lens and emphasizing social determinants, this broad-based collaboration focuses on understanding cultural differences to build resiliency and improve quality of life for all residents. 

Lessons Learned: Despite qualitative data that can be collected through the coalition and its larger membership, there is still a need for comprehensive quantitative data. Using an asset-based approach strengthens both individuals and groups, as well as increases neighborhood interconnectedness. Engaging immigrant and non-English speaking residents creates challenges for capturing specific community themes.

Recommendations: The public health system must create tools for collecting ethnic-specific data in order to eliminate health inequities. Leadership development specific to immigrant populations is needed to build neighborhood capacity and sustain coalition work.

Learning Areas:

Systems thinking

Diversity and culture

Race and Ethnicity

Social and behavioral sciences