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Health Equity Measurement

Research focused on health equity measurement

State Information

Research Question:

  • How is Health Equity being measured and/or incentivized?
  • How are states holding Managed Care Organizations and providers accountable for achieving Health Equity?

Response:

The tabs below provide links to departments of health and/or resources from each of the corresponding states.
(States are listed in alphabetical order by full state name, not postal code.)

Alabama

Alaska

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Health equity is integrated into Health Alaskans 2020, a framework of 25 health priorities for Alaska, including cancer death rate, tobacco use, physical activity, mental health, vaccinations, and more.

Health Equity Measures

  • Each priority (also known as an indicator) for Health Alaskans 2020 includes baseline (2010) and target (2020) measures, along with four progress levels (target met, on track, little to no progress, not on track to reach target).

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Arizona

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Language Access
  • National Partnership for Action
  • Health Smile Healthy Life Project
  • Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) (funding ended in 2012)

Health Equity Measures

  • Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards
  • Language Access Assessment
  • Data profiles
    • Oral Health Disparities
    • Language spoken at home for population 5 years and older in Arizona counties
    • African Americans and Blacks
    • Hispanics
    • American Indians
    • Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
    • Asians
    • Whites

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Arkansas

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Technical assistance, referrals and resources pertaining to the needs of minority populations
  • Promotes awareness of health issues related to unequal treatment and social determinants of health
  • Collaborates to improve state health data collection, use, and dissemination strategies
  • Educates the public about health disparities to increase awareness and capacity for health promotion and disease prevention
  • Ensures representation of diverse populations in state health planning, program development and awareness initiatives, and leadership positions
  • Promotes cultural competency, understanding and trust among internal and external partners
  • Supports the development and dissemination of information, strategies, and policies which contribute to the improved health outcomes of minority population

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

California

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Colorado

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Build relationships with communities and across sectors to address root causes of health disparities.
  • Use an Equity in Decision making approach and partner with all sectors of Government to embed health and equity considerations into their decision making process.
  • Use data to support the narrative of the Social Determinants of Health and tell the story of what creates health.
  • Develop, implement and provide guidance on health equity training, practice and policies within CDPHE and across the state of Colorado.
  • Focus on upstream determinants of health, guided by the Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Connecticut

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Social Determinants of Health
    Our strategies to eliminate disparities and achieve health equity focus on the social determinants of health, that is the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, age and die, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and other resources at global, national and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between communities.
  • Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
    Culturally and linguistically appropriate services are a critical step in addressing long-term health and healthcare disparities confronted by diverse communities throughout the United States.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Delaware

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Promote and provide training on cultural competency to improve access to health services for Delaware»s under-served populations;
  • Provide relevant statistical data to assess and identify health status of such populations;
  • Increase awareness of major health problems and factors that influence health;
  • Identify needs and expand community-based health promotion and disease prevention outreach effort;
  • Establish and strengthen networks, coalitions, and partnerships to identify and address health problems; and
  • Collaborate with public health partners to develop and promote programs and best practices to achieve health equity.
  • Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (CLAS Standards)

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Florida

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Georgia

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Be allocated with sufficient resources to promote health equity and establish themselves publicly as leaders in this area;
  • Build on current strengths and relationships with other Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) programs;
  • Actively engage disparate communities in addressing their own priorities and needs;
  • Value partnerships and collaboration as key catalysts for action; and
  • Develop the necessary expertise to provide technical assistance where needed.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Hawaii

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Identifies health disparities and health needs
  • Develops recommendations for effective, culturally appropriate interventions within selected populations
  • Promotes adoption of the Healthy People 2010 Objectives advocated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the priority areas and issues of the Office of Minority Health

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Idaho

Illinois

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Wellness on Wheels Mobile Units
    The Illinois Department of Public Health Center for Minority Health Services offers the use of its Wellness on Wheels (WOW) Mobile Units to organizations and local health departments wanting to take health clinic services into a community. WOW units can be requested for use providing immunizations, various health screenings, HIV and STD testing, and other services.
  • Love to Love Your Heart
    The Love to Love Your Heart is an initiative of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Center for Minority Health Services in partnership with faith-based communities. The goal of the Love to Love Your Heart initiative is to prevent heart attacks and stroke through education; awareness trainings regarding cardiovascular risk factors including focus on high blood pressure; and promotion of nutrition and healthy activities to support heart health.
  • Health Equity Council
    The mission of IDPH’s Health Equity Council (HEC) is to support a work culture within the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) that promotes health equity and works to eliminate health disparities through increased coordination with leadership, programs, and strategic partnerships.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Indiana

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Iowa

Health Equity Initiatives

  • workforce development
  • data analysis and use
  • program activities and outreach
  • assessment of internal and external policy and procedures

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Gain an understanding of the impact of pending health care reform on health equity
  • Lay the groundwork for regional and local advocate communities working to promote health equity
  • Share information about work on health equity
  • Build new relationships and connections with others working on health equity and access
  • Identify priorities for health equity work
  • Determine resources needed for this work
  • Discuss how local and national organizations can assist in moving health equity work forward"

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Maine

(Note: The Office of Health Equity site has been removed from the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention site. The link on the divisions page is no longer active. Last checked September 16, 2019.)

Maryland

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Massachusetts

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Interpreter Services at Health Care Facilities
  • Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Initiative
  • Refugee and Immigrant Health Program
  • Health and Disability Program
  • Oral Health Equity Project
  • Determination of Need

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Michigan

Health Equity Initiatives

  • To support and initiate programs, policies, and applied research to address social determinants of health that contribute to health inequities for racial and ethnic minority populations in Michigan;
  • To collaborate in the development of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services prevention, health service delivery, and research strategies in an effort to improve health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority populations in Michigan; and,
  • To facilitate implementation of culturally and linguistically appropriate health services throughout the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Minnesota

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Mississippi

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Health Disparity Data
  • Cultural Competence Training
  • Community Interpreter Training
  • Hepatitis B Screenings for the Gulf Coast

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Missouri

Health Equity Initiatives

  • HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan: Promoting Healthy Minority Communities
  • Minority Infant Mortality Prevention Initiative
  • Obesity Prevention
  • 4th Sunday: Where Health Meets Faith
  • Minority Health Advisory Committee
  • Paula J. Carter Center on Minority Health and Aging

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Montana

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Nebraska

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Nevada

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Identify, assess and analyze issues related to the health status of minority populations and to communicate this information where needed;
  • Participate in, and lead when appropriate, the development of minority needs assessments, service strategies and the collection of minority health data;
  • Provide reference and resource information on minority health issues;
  • Engage internal and external entities to support initiatives that address specific minority health needs, including target health care program resources to meet these needs;
  • Monitor programs, policies and procedures for inclusiveness and responsiveness to minority health needs; and
  • Facilitate the development and implementation of research and scientific investigations to produce minority specific findings.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

New Hampshire

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Provides a sustained focus on the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services to NH's residents by DHHS;
  • Maintains communication with racial, ethnic and other medically underserved populations to create partnerships to enhance the overall health of the communities by developing combined opportunities and resources to address health disparities; and
  • Collaborates and partners with federal and regional state minority health offices and NH health and community agencies regarding various regional, national and state health disparity initiatives.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

New Jersey

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

New Mexico

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Workforce training and development, including Spanish and Navajo medical interpreting, a Public Health Spanish course, and cultural competency training.
  • Cultural and linguistic competence policy assessment.
  • Health promotion and awareness activities.
  • Translation and interpretation services.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

New York

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

North Carolina

Health Equity Initiatives

  • N.C. Minority Diabetes Prevention Program (NC MDPP)
    The North Carolina Minority Diabetes Prevention Program (NC MDPP) is a statewide collaborative effort between local health departments, local health care providers, and community organizations across North Carolina to keep people with prediabetes from developing type 2 diabetes and other health problems, such as stroke and heart disease.
  • Cultural and Community Health Initiatives
    The Cultural and Community Health Initiatives utilize best practices, innovative approaches, and evidence-based strategies to eliminate health disparities and promote health equity.
  • N.C. Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (NC CLAS) Program
    The Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Program offers free training and technical assistance to organizations and community members interested in learning more about cultural competence and the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (National CLAS Standards).
  • Health Equity Lunch and Learn Series
    On December 1, 2015, the Health Equity Lunch & Learn Series was initiated for health professionals, students, and interested members of the public.
  • Community Health Ambassadors Program (CHAP)
    The Community Health Ambassador Program (CHAP) is a statewide training and education project designed to engage leaders from diverse communities and populations to help eliminate health disparities in North Carolina.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

North Dakota

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Ohio

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Oklahoma

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Oregon

Health Equity Programs

  • Affirmative Action Reporting
  • Civil Rights Program
  • Cultural Competence Continuing Education (CCCE)
  • Developing Equity Leadership through Training and Action (DELTA)
  • Equity and Inclusion Training
  • Health Care Interpreter (TCI) Program
  • Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Disability (REALD) Implementation
  • Regional Health Equity Coalitions
  • Traditional Health Worker (THW) Program

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Pennsylvania

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Public Health 3.0
    The Department of Health is holding four regional events across the commonwealth to bring together different sectors (e.g. business, education, housing, transportation, etc.) to have a conversation about how we can create conditions that allow all members of our communities to live healthy lives.
  • Pennsylvania Interagency Health Equity Team (PIHET)
    The Pennsylvania Interagency Health Equity Team was initiated in February 2017. This team is a replication of a federal interagency team (FIHET) which includes a representative or representatives from many state agencies that come together to discuss health equity among their particular agency.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Rhode Island

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

South Carolina

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

South Dakota

Health Equity Initiatives

Site provides tips and links to information about strategies for health equity; trainings, webinars, and continuing education; ways to stay updated; national standards (CLAS), self-assessments, and partners.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Tennessee

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Texas

Note: The Office of Minority Health Statistics and Engagement, also referred to as the Center for Elimination of Disproportionality, closed on Sept. 1, 2018. (Per Process Improvement.)

Utah

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Vermont

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Community Engagement
  • Cultural Humility
  • Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Care
  • Reflect and Respect Diversity
  • Health Equity Action Team
  • Plan, Track and Evaluate
  • Language Access, Interpretation and Translation
  • Monitor Health Disparities

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Virginia

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Washington

Health Equity Initiatives

  • Build the Department of Health’s organizational infrastructure and workforce to promote and support health equity.
  • Develop and implement a robust system for collecting, monitoring, using and analyzing data on health outcomes and behaviors to assess disparities and to advance health equity.
  • Invest in sustained quality internal and external partnerships with local health departments, community-based and Tribal organizations, Tribes, Urban Indian programs, and other identified multi-sector public and private entities to eliminate disparities and promote health equity.
  • Implement, support and evaluate policies that create the social, environmental and economic conditions to achieve health equity.
  • Ensure that communication on health equity is visible and accessible to Department of Health staff, external partners and the general public.

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable

Wyoming

Health Equity Initiatives

Health Equity Measures

Health Equity Incentives

Methods for Holding Managed Care Organizations and Providers Accountable