Steering Committee Long Island Population Health Improvement Program (LIPHIP) July 19, 2017

The Blueprint for Health Equity Event: A Summary David Erickson

What is the “Blueprint for Health Equity” Event? The “blueprint for health equity” is a day-long experiential learning event featuring: Presentations on structural determinants of health Participation in the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) A debriefing session in which participants reflect on the poverty simulation Presentation of various strategies for addressing structural determinants of health Participation of a wide array of health care providers, administrators, nurses, outreach workers, and students.

The Presenters The event is (was) sponsored by HealthlinkNY’s Health Action Priorities Network. HealthlinkNY is the PHIP for the Mid- Hudson & Southern Tier regions Dr. Martine Hackett delivered the opening presentation on structural aspects of health (see slides) The Westchester County Community Opportunity Program facilitated the poverty simulation Dr. Kenya Beard presented potential strategies for incorporating lessons learned during the day into actionable responses (see slide)

The Poverty Simulation The poverty simulation was by far the most striking component of the day. The simulation was designed and developed by the Missouri Community Action Network in order to promote a greater understanding of poverty. During the simulation participants are assigned a “role” of an individual or family member trying to live on extremely limited income. The task for the families/participants is to provide basic necessities, shelter, food, etc. during four 15-minute “weeks”. During that time participants must interact with various governmental, healthcare, and social service institutions and agencies.

The Poverty Simulation cont. Participants gather in a large room laid out in the following way: The simulated “community” is the room. The participant’s “homes” are the chairs in the center of the room. The services the participants need line the perimeter of the room.

The Poverty Simulation cont.

The Poverty Simulation cont.

The Poverty Simulation cont. During each 15-minute “month” participants must get transportation to and from work/school, acquire food, potentially struggle with a chronic illness, and face the daily stresses and challenges a person in poverty faces. Families can “regroup” over the weekends to strategize as best as possible for the next “month.” Here are a couple potential scenarios: A single parent with limited resources and no transportation must find a way to get to work and get their child to daycare. An elderly person must find a way to pay for both utilities and medication. A young adult must care for siblings while their parent is incarcerated.

The Poverty Simulation cont. My own reactions to the simulation: It is extremely difficult to actually make it through the month while preserving housing and food. You must deliver a “transportation pass” at every stop you make. It is difficult to acquire them. Many of the tasks are things I am personally accustomed to deal with via telephone or internet. Often health is the last thing families are able to address. In my case I was unable to get medical care for my pregnant daughter until the very last week. There ARE resources available, but accessing them in a timely manner given the constraints of the “role” is challenging. I actually felt the stress of my family’s circumstances.

The Poverty Simulation cont. The overall theory behind the simulation is to rethink/reframe our commonplace understandings of poverty. The simulation is largely successful at achieving that aim. Having an opportunity to actually experience the constraints of poverty is different than simply listing these constraints as one might in a needs assessment, statistical report, grant application, etc. The simulation works at multiple registers: administrators, directors, policy-types, etc. gain insights into how to structure service delivery; front line staff develop a different level of understanding related to some of the individuals with whom they come into contact.

Follow Up More information on the poverty simulation can be found at: http://www.povertysimulation.net/ This includes description, FAQs, kit purchase instruction, facilitator training program info, etc. I have included presentations by Dr. Hackett and Dr. Beard with these slides. HealthinkNY can certainly provide additional information on the event(s): Victoria Reid: vreid@healthlinkny.com Questions?

Collective Impact Think Tank Proposals due July 24 FSG Health and Welfare Council of LI

Order of Business Fall walking events Caleb Smith, August 17th Bethpage, August 31st National Walking Summit, September 13-15, St. Paul, Minnesota Nassau County Health Expo, September 30th Suffolk County Marathon, October 29th

Order of Business Central NY PHIP, HealtheConnections Visual Communications Training September, 2017 RHIO barrier

Feedback and Suggestions from Steering Committee Members

2017 Upcoming Meetings September 20, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. November 29, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.