Health Equity
What is Health Equity?
Health equity is the principle of ensuring that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. The social determinants of health—such as income, education, housing, and access to care—differ dramatically across racial, ethnic, and geographic lines, leading to significant disparities in health outcomes. Improving opportunities for the people who face the biggest challenges in our community will make the whole community healthier. When everyone can live their healthiest lives, we all benefit.
Our Approach
The Department is committed to a course of action that reduces and ultimately eliminates health disparities, so that optimal health for all is possible.
Mission
Achieving the highest level of health and well-being for everyone.
The above cartoon drawn by Tony Ruth demonstrates the different approaches we can take to ensuring all people have access to community resources. Inequality is present when some residents in your neighborhoods can access programs and others cannot.
- 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
- The Department, in partnership with Thurston Thrives, conducts community health assessment activities and has established shared indicators of population health aimed at identifying equity gaps.
- Racial Equity and Inclusion (TC)
- 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