Health Equity Plan
We Help You Guide Your Community to Optimal Health
Health Equity Planning
At Ascendant Healthcare Partners, Health Equity Plans are designed to address the unique needs of each community, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to attain their highest level of health. We leverage over 20 years of expertise to develop plans for community health improvement, emphasizing equity and inclusiveness. Our initiatives resonate with and positively impact the communities we work with by addressing systemic barriers and disparities in access to healthcare and resources.
The Health Equity Plan serves as a guiding light for counties, assisting them in their efforts to create and enhance systems and opportunities that lead to optimal health for all residents.
Our Methodology
Health Equity is achieved when all members of the community can achieve optimal health. Our methodology is built on a holistic approach to Health Equity planning, strongly focusing on community engagement. We aim to understand the specific needs and challenges of the communities we serve. By incorporating feedback from diverse community stakeholders, we ensure our plans are inclusive and representative of all voices.
Once the key health priorities are identified, we collaborate with stakeholders to develop actionable plans within the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and Health Equity Plan (HEP). These plans outline specific strategies and interventions to address the identified health needs and promote equity within the community. We utilize community health assessment and community health improvement plans from Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP).
Central to our methodologies is the principle of community engagement and collaboration. We facilitate stakeholder engagement meetings to ensure our plans reflect the community’s diverse perspectives and priorities. By involving community members, organizations, and leaders in the planning process, we foster ownership and commitment to the success of our initiatives.
As such, we continuously facilitate meaningful participation and dialogue within our communities. We strive to constantly empower community members to actively contribute to the decision-making process to ensure that proposed initiatives and action plans resonate with the unique needs of the communities we aim to serve.
The result is a comprehensive 3-5 year Health Equity Plan that serves as a roadmap for public health improvement—extending our efforts towards accreditation and beyond. This plan not only outlines the strategies and interventions needed to address health disparities but also establishes a framework for continuous progress and accountability. Through our sustained commitment to these principles, we e
Our Approach
To identify and address disparities in the community, we develop S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) objectives and adhere to Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) guidance.
Our focus areas include but are not limited to:
- Disability rates
- Veterans
- Poverty
- Racial and ethnic disparities
- Other social determinants of health
Our services are carefully designed to empower your local health department with the tools, insights, and strategies necessary for sustainable health improvement, with the ultimate goal of building a more resilient community through collaboration and informed action.
- Identifying Strengths and Gaps: Through thorough equity-based assessments and alignments with your community indicators, we identify community strengths and opportunities, prioritize service gaps within your programs, address unmet needs, and identify barriers. This helps us understand the resources available within the community and areas where additional support is needed, aligned with the five pillars of your strategic plan.
- Program Development and Implementation: Based on our needs assessment plans, we develop and implement programs and initiatives designed to address previously identified health priorities. These programs are customized to meet your community’s specific needs and demographics, ensuring maximum impact. The health equity plan includes indicators, equity assessment, and community engagement to develop a meaningful plan that will provide initiatives and specific priorities to address health equity in your local community. Through this comprehensive approach, we ensure that our efforts are targeted, effective, and aligned with the unique needs of the communities we serve.
- Community Engagement: We facilitate engagement meetings to address health priorities and leverage community strengths in overcoming challenges related to poverty, social barriers, access to services, and lifestyle factors.
We believe everyone needs to be seen, heard, and valued. Once these inequities are identified, we collaborate with your Health Department and your health equity committee to develop a comprehensive plan to address each issue. Our approach ensures that health equity is not just a goal but a reality for the communities we serve.
We meet your community where you are.
We are here to help you achieve your goals whether through training or full-service offerings.
FAQ
Health equity is the principle of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of social or economic circumstances. It involves addressing systemic barriers and disparities in access to healthcare and resources, ensuring that all individuals can achieve optimal health outcomes.
Health equity is a problem due to persistent disparities in health outcomes among different population groups. These disparities often stem from systemic injustices and inequities in access to healthcare, education, employment, and other social and economic resources. Addressing these disparities is crucial for ensuring everyone has a fair chance to live a healthy life.
Ascendant Healthcare Partners addresses health equity by working with Health Departments to develop plans to identify and eliminate disparities within communities. Our approach involves setting S.M.A.R.T. objectives, following PHAB guidelines, and engaging with community stakeholders to create inclusive and effective health equity plans. We tailor our strategies to address specific issues such as disability rates, veterans’ health, poverty, and racial and ethnic dispersion.
Community engagement and feedback are integral to shaping Health Equity Plans. By involving diverse community stakeholders in the planning process, we ensure that the plans are inclusive and representative of all voices. This engagement helps identify the community’s unique needs and challenges, allowing us to develop tailored strategies that effectively address health disparities and promote equity.
