ARTWORK: Interaction Institute for Social Change | Artist Angus Maguire
Health Equity Study explores gaps, challenges in Ohio healthcare
Yes, we want to hear from more of you so we're incentivizing! For every survey you submit or have already submitted, you receive one chance to win a set of new wireless headphones, perfect for conference calls! Read on for the details.
HERE'S HOW TO ENTER DRAWING BY MAY 1
- Honor system at work here...
- If you have already completed the surveys, email Michelle Chapman at mmec842 [at] gmail.com the NUMBER of surveys you completed. If you did all of them, then send her an email with your name and the number '7'. Or if you didn't quite finish, you can take care of that right now...
- Ready to dig into the surveys? See the descriptions and links below. Complete and submit the surveys. Send that number and your name to Michelle Chapman at mmec842 [at] gmail.com.
- Your name will be entered into the drawing as many times as the number of surveys you completed. The winner will be pulled from the entries at our virtual Annual Meeting on June 6. More to come about that...
STUDY CONSENSUS MEETING
- The surveys will help the HES committee organize the next step in the study process: the consensus meeting.
- Once a League has studied a topic, the membership meets to discuss and come to consensus on a set of questions that will become a "position," a set of principles on which a League can take action.
- COVID-19 has meant changes to our meeting schedule. A consensus meeting for the Health Equity Study will be rescheduled before September and possibly by the latter part of May. It's all subject to change!
- You will be notified of the resumption of our meeting schedule as soon as we are able.
NEW WAY TO BRING YOU A STUDY EXPERIENCE
In order to facilitate discussions and allow us to cover lots of information in two hours, the committee sent out via our email newsletter materials to help you prepare. You can find the materials here, beginning with a list of definitions and a list of fact sheets which will introduce the topic of health equity. Click on the titles to link to the materials.
WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED
- Ann Ward, HES Committee Chair, 330-285-0899, annhward [at] gmail.com" target="_blank" data-link-type="email">annhward [at] gmail.com
- Return the paper surveys to Ann Ward, 474 Longmere, Kent, OH 44240.
ABOUT SURVEY MONKEY
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ALL SURVEYS IS MAY 1.
RATE THE NEW STUDY PROCESS, PLEASE.
After you have completed the seven topics, click here to evaluate the process. Thank you in advance!
HEALTH EQUITY STUDY TOPICS
TOPIC A
Are These Factors Important for a Healthy Community?
We often take where we live for granted. But how does our environment impact our health? Should community access to foods that support healthy eating patterns be included? Should crime and violence be included? How about adequate and quality housing? Social determinants of health that impact people of all ages include conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. They include factors like socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support networks, as well as access to health care.
Equity versus equality needs to be considered. Equity is the absence of avoidable or remediable differences among groups of people, whether those groups are defined socially, economically, demographically or geographically. Therefore health inequities not only involve the lack of equal access to needed resources to maintain or improve health outcomes, they also refer to difficulty when it comes to "inequalities that infringe on fairness and human rights norms."
Recommended Resources (click on the titles):
- American Public health Association – Advancing Health Equity Fact Sheet
- National Recreation and Park Association – Role of Parks and Recreation on Health and Wellness
- Interaction Institute for Social Change – Illustrating Equality –vs-Equity
Please click on the link to the survey, review the section, and answer "yes" or "no" to the 10 statements.
TOPIC B
Factors Contributing to the Health of the Individual
Aside from access to health care, numerous factors have been reported to contribute to the health of an individual. Some of the factors that have been considered are listed below. In looking at this question, please consider all areas of the state. Imagine living in an area different from your own situation.
Recommended Resources (click on the titles):
- County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Program
- Ohio Department of Health: Population Health Plans and Assessments
Please click on the link to the survey below, and rank the factors in order of importance.
TOPIC C
Role of Not-for-Profit and Faith-Based Organizations
Non-profit and faith-based organizations have been identified as providing services to communities for many years. Advantages to faith-based organizations include availability of services when providers and services are limited or do not exist in a community; geographic location if resources or services are too far away or not easily accessed (such as limited transportation); and flexible hours if services are only available during normal business hours; welcoming environment in terms of race, culture, and/or language.
Disadvantages may include lack of knowledge in developing and executing programs and having the resources to provide services. Initially, there was minimal research in determining the value of faith-based services and specific past issues have brought barriers to light. For instance, in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2009, faith-based, non-profit, and other non-government and volunteer organizations continued to provide essential support to Hurricane Katrina victims, however, faith based and non-governmental agencies were not adequately integrated in the response effort. Much reorganization has occurred and collaboration between many organizations is more evident. Examples of emergency response include Zika and Ebola breakouts, and natural disasters.
The Ohio General Assembly established The Ohio Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in 2003 to address issues in our state. At the federal level, the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) was established by President Bush. Currently, federal and state organizations are thoughtfully developing evidenc-based models and strategies to incorporate faith-based organizations in addressing health needs. In addition to the CDC engaging community and faith-based organizations in public health emergencies, the CDC reached out for assistance in tobacco cessation. The Partnership Circle is working with non-profit and faith-based organizations in addressing opioids and mental health.
Recommended Resources (click on the titles):
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research – Faith Based Organizations in Community Development – Executive Summary ppi-ii
- Public Health Reports – Faith-Based Partnerships for Population Health: Challenges, Initiatives, and Prospects
Please click on the link to the survey, review the section, and answer "yes," "no" or "no consensus" to the 10 statements.
TOPIC D
Role of State Government in Health
In 2017, Ohio ranked 44th among states for our overall well-being, according to the Gallup Sharecare Well-Being Index. High rates of disease and chronic conditions contribute to low well-being in Ohio, as does financial insecurity, poor community health, low social support and lack of life purpose. Ohio can be a state where people – regardless of gender, race or ethnicity – or whether they live in a city, a suburb or rural area – can live healthy, happy lives.
Recommended Resources (click on the titles):
- Policy Matters Ohio: Building a Healthy Ohio Summary
- Policy Matters Ohio: Overcoming Roadblocks to Health
Please click on the link to the survey below, review the five statements that address the role of local government and health departments in health equity policy and programs. Choose the statement that best describes the role you agree Ohio government should play.
TOPIC E
Role of Local Government in Health
Ohio’s 113 local health districts help protect and improve the health of their communities by providing quality public health services that Ohioans expect and deserve. Locally, the health department works in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and other state agencies to insure the health and safety of your community. In addition, local health departments work with commun ity leaders and service providers to lead, facilitate, catalyze and collaborate on addres sing community public health needs.
Recommended Resources (click on the titles):
- Association of Ohio Health Commissioners – Overview of Ohio’s Public Health System
- Ohio Department of Health – Kent & Portage County link
Please click on the link to the survey below, review the four statements that address the role of local government in health equity policy and programs. Choose the statement that best describes the role you agree local government health districts should play.
TOPIC F
Health Inequties and Their Sources
According to Health Policy Brief, more than a 29-year gap exists in life expectancy in Ohio, depending upon where one lives. The lowest life expectancy of 60 years is in areas of Franklin County compared to 89 years in areas of Summit County. Factors creating such disparities in Ohioans’ ability to enjoy a healthy life include geography, race and ethnicity, availability of health care, income and education, as well as other social, economic or demographic factors.
Recommended Resources (click on the titles):
TOPIC G
How to Ensure the Health of a Community by Building a Healthy Ohio
How you view health inequity and its causes will influence what you see as possible solutions.
In 2014, Medicaid eligibility in Ohio was expanded to adults age 19-64 not previously covered. Approximately 700,000 adults were able to access care, including mental health and substance abuse treatment. The health of all Ohioans is improved by access to preventative and ongoing care for chronic conditions. The health care plan proposed in June 2019 by House Republicans would impose work requirements on Medicaid beneficiaries.
However, studies show that most people on Medicaid who can work already do so. Many of them work multiple jobs that do not offer affordable health insurance options. The effect of this restriction would be the loss of healthcare coverage for those unable to work.
People who live in food “deserts” with no easy access to fresh produce and meat are well-known to have increased incidence of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, and other illnesses. Former First Lady Michelle Obama obtained pledges from 600 stores to open up in food deserts in 2014, but the number who have is far lower. There are co-op model stores in some cities; these often require considerable support by non-profits. (Cooperative Grocer Network
2015).
School nurses can play a vital role in the health and health education of the students, providing direct care and screening with referral for medical conditions. Unfortunately, only 35% of schools have a full time school nurse, 40% have a part ime nurse, and 25% none. This is especially problematic for students with chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma.
Consider health impacts of proposed rules and laws as a standard part of Ohio’s policy-making process, at all levels of government.
Recommended Resources (click on the titles):
RATE THE NEW STUDY PROCESS, PLEASE.
After you have completed the seven topics, click here to evaluate the process. Thank you in advance.
Join the Kent League Health Equity Study Committee. Email Ann Ward at annhward [at] gmail.com
Contact LWV Kent at lwvkent [at] gmail.com.
Interested in working on a committee or serving on the LWVK board? Check out how you can participate here.