Health Equity 101 An Introduction to Health Equity June 26, 2013

MDH and Health Equity: Why Health Equity Matters? Minnesota rates as one of the healthiest states in the U.S. yet has significant health disparities among certain populations. Aligns with Healthy Minnesota Vision: All people in Minnesota enjoy healthy lives and healthy communities. Broadens the focus of public health in addressing key upstream health determinants that shape where people live, play, work, and learn.

Objectives 1.Define health equity and related terms 2.Explain the importance of health equity as a key public health issue 3.Illustrate health disparities and inequities in Minnesota 4.Explain what is a “health equity lens” and how it can be useful to your work

Health Equity: Definitions Health Equity - Attainment of the highest level of health possible for all people. Achieving health equity requires valuing everyone with focused and ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health disparities and health care disparities. Health Inequity- Differences in health status between more and less socially and economically advantaged groups, caused by systematic differences in social conditions and processes that effectively determine health. Health inequities are avoidable, unjust, and therefore actionable.

Health Equity: Definitions Health Disparities - Differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of disease and other adverse health conditions that exist between specific population groups. Social Determinants of Health - Conditions found in the physical, cultural, social, economic and political environments that influence individual and population health. The inequities in the distribution of these conditions lead to differences in health outcomes (health disparities).

Health Equity Lens A health equity lens is a way of adjusting how we look at and consider individual and population health. It looks beyond a population’s overall health status and compares how different groups are doing and takes into consideration the unique concerns of those in disadvantaged groups.

Ways an equity lens can be applied to health improvement Involve community members Understand the root causes and level of health inequities Use health (equity) impact assessments Integrate equity goals, approaches and indicators into policies, plans and development agendas Target resources and efforts to reach populations experiencing health disparities

Economic Status

Income by Race/Ethnicity

K – 12 Lunch Support by Race

Education Attainment

Trends: Education by Poverty Status

Education by Race and Ethnicity

High School Graduation Rates

Health disparities in relation to obesity Obesity rates in Minnesota: –11.1% of Minnesota children are obese –25.7% of Minnesota adults are obese Illness and death due to chronic diseases are more prevalent among racial and ethnic groups. Obesity is a major risk factor for many chronic health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and obesity- related cancer.

Education Attainment and Obesity

Adult Obesity: Education and Income

Adolescent Overweight or Obese Percent who self report overweight or obese

Obesity in Minnesota WIC Children Obesity rates in American Indian children ages two to five years continued to rise

Health disparities in relation to tobacco Smoking occurs at much higher rates among Native Americans and Alaska Natives and the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) population. Smoking also occurs more frequently among persons of lower income and lower education. Tobacco use rates in Minnesota: –21% use some form of tobacco –16.1% are smokers

Tobacco Use in Minnesota

Adolescent Tobacco Use

Things To Remember We need to consciously and consistently address health disparities and inequities It takes time! Partnerships with community members and organizations is a must Community capacity building and community empowerment are key strategies for reducing health disparities and achieving health equity Populations experiencing health disparities are not homogenous and data does not tell the whole picture

For more information Please refer to the SHIP Guiding documents and Health Equity Implementation Guide for more details and resources If you have questions, please direct them to: