Health Equity
Health equity is the principle of ensuring that every individual has a fair and just opportunity to achieve their highest level of health. The report below explores the important distinction between health equity and health equality, highlighting why addressing health inequities is vital to creating healthier communities. It delves into how social drivers of health—such as income, education, housing, health behaviors, community support, and access to healthcare—vary widely across racial, ethnic, and geographic lines, leading to stark disparities in health outcomes.
What Impacts Health Outcomes?
The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute Model of Health shows how the conditions in which people live, learn, work, and play directly influence overall health and well-being. These community conditions are shaped by societal rules, both written and unwritten, that determine which communities have access to the resources needed to thrive. As a result, factors such as safe housing, equitable education, stable employment, and access to community resources—commonly referred to as the social drivers of health (SDOH)—play a critical role in shaping health outcomes and quality of life. Together, these systems of power and policy are recognized as the structural determinants of health.
- Council on Racial Equity & Inclusion
- On December 14, 2021, the Board of Commissioners (BoCC) approved Resolution No. 16097, establishing the Thurston County Council on Racial Equity and Inclusion. This resolution supports Resolution No.15995 which declared Racism a Crisis in Thurston County and the Board of Health (BoH) Proclamation of Racism as a Health Crisis in Thurston County, both adopted on March 9, 2021.
- On December 14, 2021, the Board of Commissioners (BoCC) approved Resolution No. 16097, establishing the Thurston County Council on Racial Equity and Inclusion. This resolution supports Resolution No.15995 which declared Racism a Crisis in Thurston County and the Board of Health (BoH) Proclamation of Racism as a Health Crisis in Thurston County, both adopted on March 9, 2021.
- Community Health Assessment
- Thurston County Public Health & Social Services is in the process of conducting community health assessment activities and is working to establish shared indicators of population health aimed at identifying equity gaps.
- Racial Equity and Inclusion (TC)
- Community Health Assessment (TC)
- County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (University of Wisconsin Population Health)
- Systemic Racism and Health Equity (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
- Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities (WA BOH)
- Washington State LGBTQ Commission
- Washington State Coalition for Language Access
- Health Equity Institute (San Francisco State University)
- Environmental Justice (EPA)
- Othering and Belonging Institute (University of California)
- Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication (CDC)
- Social Determinants of Health (CDC)
- Institute of Health Equity