Addressing health disparities and promoting health equity requires we acknowledge that historical and current social, racial, economic and environmental inequities result in negative health outcomes. They affect communities differently and have a greater influence on health outcomes than individual choices or access to health care.
Helpful terms and definitions
To guide and inform our work in health equity, Washington County Public Health (WCPH) uses the terms and definitions in the glossary created by Health and Human Services staff. These definitions help us understand and use common terms when discussing diversity, equity and inclusion. Among other things, the glossary includes definitions for health equity and health disparities and explains the difference between equality and equity.
Achieving health equity means addressing longstanding social and racial injustices and working in partnership with others to realize this goal. The following is some of the work happening in the Public Health Division in partnership with community.
2024 Public Health Modernization Community Engagement Summary
A new 2024 community engagement report explores how WCPH can provide more inclusive, community-centered services based on diverse, local input from nearly 500 participants across an 18-month period. Community input like this will help Public Health develop plans with local perspectives in mind, as the division continues improving public health systems and services.
Read the full report online:
Learn more about the report in these supplemental materials:
This report is the result of a partnership between WCPH and the Rede Group, as they reached out to and engaged people using a combination of interviews, meetings, tabling events and other discussion strategies.
Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
The Washington County CHIP is a community plan for action that defines how Washington County Health and Human Services and community partners come together to improve health equity and address priority health issues.
The foundational goals for the CHIP are to:
- Reduce health disparities.
- Improve health equity.
- Apply a racial equity lens and trauma-informed principles to the CHIP structure and work.
WCPH is currently working with community partners to develop a Bridge CHIP that will guide our future work together. To learn more or get involved, visit the CHIP webpage.
For more information about WCPH’s work around health equity, please contact Genevieve Ellis.