Understanding Health Equity

The Interconnectedness of Stories and Health

• Each individual has a unique history and story.
• Communities are formed by the collective histories and stories of individuals.
• Our world shapes us, influencing our health.

Community and Environment

• Our community consists of our environment and neighbors.
• A closer examination of our communities reveals disparities in resources and opportunities.

Disparities in Communities

• Not all communities have equal access to:
  • Housing
  • Income
  • Education
  • Sense of belonging
• These factors directly impact health outcomes.

Impact of Living and Working Conditions

• Individuals’ health is influenced by:
  • Living and working conditions
  • Available resources
• Conditions and resources vary across communities based on:
  • History
  • Culture
  • Norms
  • Attitudes
  • Lived experiences

Questions to Consider

• Understanding community impacts on health prompts critical questions:
  • What if we invest in neighborhoods and communities?
  • Can we create equitable health opportunities for all?

Power to Change

• We have the power to shape a healthier world.
• Creating health equity means:
  • Opportunities for all to attain their highest level of health.

Community-Level Interventions

• Addressing health issues individually is inadequate.
• Effective change occurs when:
  • Communities are supported collectively.
  • Physical, social, built, and policy environments are improved.

Role of Public Health

• Public health connects:
  • Science
  • Policy
  • Practice
• Collaboration across sectors (housing, transportation, education) is essential for equity.

Engaging Communities

• Health equity emerges when:
  • Communities engage with each other.
  • Policies and initiatives focus on shared issues.

Call to Action

• Collective action is necessary to achieve health equity:
  • Show up, converse, identify resources and actions needed.
• For more information and to take action, visit: CDC Health Equity

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By understanding and addressing the root causes of health inequities, we can create a society where everyone has the resources to thrive.