Health Equity Initiative

The Health Equity Initiative works to address the root causes of socioeconomic and racial injustices that lead to health disparities.

Community Report Back

Many of you had the opportunity to view the screenings of Unnatural Causes. Beginning September, 2008 you will have the opportunity to attend a community report back session. These sessions will share the input collected from participants in the community dialogues, as well as policy options for community members to discuss and prioritize.

The schedule for Comunity Report Back sessions is below:

Sat Sep 20	Gresham Public Library 385 NW Miller Rd Gresham, OR 97030	1:00 – 3:00 pm
Sat Sep 27	New Columbia Community Center 4625 N Trenton St Portland, OR 97203	1:00 – 3:00 pm
Mon Sep 29	Central Library 801 SW 10th Ave Portland, OR 97205	12:30 - 2:30 pm
Tues Sep 30	Multnomah Arts Center- Capitol Room Neighborhood House Senior Center 7688 SW Capitol Hwy Portland, OR 97219	5:30 - 7:30 pm
Wed Oct 1	Multnomah Building - Board Room 501 SE Hawthorne Portland, OR 97214	10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Sat Oct 11	PCC Cascade Campus - Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building (MAHB 104) 705 N. Killingsworth St. Portland, OR 97217	1:00 – 3:00 pm
Tue Oct 28	Midland Library 805 S.E. 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233	5:30 - 7:30 pm

Health Is More Than Health Care!

There is much more to our health than bad habits, health care or genes. What matters most are the social conditions that make us sick in the first place. Social factors we don't usually associate with health—good jobs, affordable housing, a clean environment, sick leave, and a quality education—are just as important for health as efforts to get people to eat right, exercise more and stop smoking.

Poor neighborhoods are exposed to many health threats caused by crime, pollutants, a lack of decent and affordable housing, safe places to play and quality schools.

What Are Health Disparities?

Population-specific differences in the presence of disease, health or access to care. For example, did you know that African American men in Multnomah County are 40% more likely than white men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 2 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men? Health disparities are not “natural;” racism and social class play a role in this disparity.

Why Are Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Important to Identify?

Factors leading to these disparities can be changed. The Health Equity Initiative is an important step towards eliminating health disparities, and for assuring a healthy community for all Multnomah County residents.

What Can You Do?

We invite you to organize a screening of Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? for your work place, faith community, civic group, or community organization. Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? explores how inequalities in housing, health, jobs, and education – combined with a lack of power and control over one’s life – can translate into bad health and even death. Schedule a screening and discussion >>

Page updated September 08, 2008