Equity
Health Disparity Study
Summary: We are currently working on a two part project that will look at the root causes of the differences in outcomes experienced in the Black community in Frederick as it relates to maternal child health. The first part was a health disparity study to develop a profile on the Black woman in Frederick county. This time will be spent understanding the story and lives behind the numbers, working to look into more than just the healthcare experience (although that is important), and include other social determinants of health. The Frederick County Black Maternal Health Disparity Study Report is available for review. A graphic representation of the drivers that prohibit positive Black maternal health outcomes was also developed as part of this study as a tool to guide conversations.
Members of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) and Black Mamas Building Bridges.
Current stage: The second phase is using the information from the profile to identify and develop solutions based on the findings of the health disparity study and community input. This phase, like the first one, is guided and led by a Community Advisory Board (CAB). It incorporates the language, experiences, and ideas of those who are experiencing the current conditions and will most benefit from improvements.
A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis was developed and feedback from the workgroup was compiled. A value vs effort matrix was introduced to guide discussion and determine which strategies identified in the SWOT analysis to begin with.
The group identified these high value opportunities for improvement:
What's coming next: the group is finalizing the strategic plan and will present it to the community before the end of 2023.
What are Social Determinants of Health?
Our health is far more than healthcare and our individual health behaviors. Social determinates of health are the conditions in which people are born, live, work, play, worship and age. The choices we make depend on the options that are available and accessible. They are commonly grouped into 5 categories: Economic Stability, Education Access, Health Care Access, Neighborhood and Built Environment, and Social and Community Context.
Nuestra salud es mucho más que la atención médica y nuestros comportamientos de salud individuales. Los determinantes sociales de la salud son las condiciones en las que las personas nacen, viven, trabajan, juegan, adoran y envejecen. Los determinantes sociales influyen en las opciones entre las que debemos elegir en conjunto. Por lo general, se agrupan en 5 categorías: Estabilidad económica, Acceso a la educación, Acceso a la atención médica, Vecindario y entorno construido, y Contexto social y comunitario.
There are a lot of terms used when talking about equity, so here's what we mean when we use these words.
Definitions:
- Equity: An approach that strives to give everyone a healthy, happy life but gives extra attention to those with barriers who lack access to resources so they can receive individualized care to bring them to the same level of health.
- Equality: is equal treatment and availability of health care services for all people.
- Disability: A person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities.
- Implicit bias: Unaware attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions and decisions in unconscious manner.
- Explicit bias: Aware of thoughts and emotions towards a specific group of people.
- Microaggressions: are the offensive insults, putdowns, invalidations, and offensive behaviors or action directed at a certain group of people.
- Racial Inequity: The unethical and unequal distribution of resources along racial lines.
- Health Disparities: a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and environmental disadvantage disparities. Adversely affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, age, mental health or physical disability linked to discrimination or exclusion.
Resources:
- EmPOWER Employer Resource Toolkit from the Frederick County Office of Economic Development
- Initiate a Complaint of Discrimination in Frederick County
- City of Frederick Equity and Inclusion Office
- Frederick County Equity and Inclusion Office
- Frederick County Human Relations Commission
- Frederick County Declaration of Racism as a Public Health Crisis (3/18/2021)
- Maryland Dept. of Health - Minority Health and Health Disparities
- U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services - Office of Minority Health
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities
Health Disparities Data
- For Frederick County data on health disparities, please see the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment.
- LGBTQ+ Health
Trainings
- None currently, but check back!
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Partner with Us
We want to hear from you! If you have ideas of things for us to focus on, or want to work or volunteer with us, please email us at FCHDequityoffice@frederickcountymd.gov .