Health Equity & Health Disparities

3. Health Equity & Health Disparities

a. Provide an actual example in which your local community has met/addressed health equity or health disparity needs within your community. What health concerns or social determinants were addressed? How did your community address this need? What population benefited from this initiative?

b. Identify a health equity or health disparity concern in your local community that still needs to be addressed. Identify and describe at least 2 causes or social health determinants associated with this concern. What population is most vulnerable? What are the potential long-term consequences for the vulnerable population if this concern is not addressed? Describe an example of a community or systems level of practice public health intervention to address this public health concern.

Answer:

a. An example of addressing health equity or health disparity in a local community could be implementing a community-wide program to improve access to healthy food options in food deserts. This initiative addresses the social determinants of health, such as lack of access to healthy food options and limited financial resources to purchase healthy food. The initiative could involve collaborating with local grocery stores to bring in fresh produce and creating community gardens to grow fresh produce. The population that would benefit from this initiative would be residents in the food desert area who previously lacked access to healthy food options.

b. One health equity or health disparity concern in many local communities is the unequal distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Causes or social health determinants associated with this concern could include limited access to transportation and information, as well as distrust in the medical system among certain populations. The populations most vulnerable include communities of color, low-income individuals, and the elderly. If this concern is not addressed, the long-term consequences could include continued health disparities and an unequal distribution of immunity to the virus. A community or systems level intervention to address this concern could involve working with community leaders and trusted organizations to increase access to transportation and information, as well as providing education on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.