An Introduction to Health Equity: Legacies, Measurement, and Opportunities for Change

When health equity is achieved, it means that every person has an equal opportunity to be healthy and well, and in turn, that health disparities are eliminated. Without health equity, vulnerable populations are at risk for disparate access to community resources and conditions that create well-being because of economic, cultural, racial, or physical characteristics. While achieving health equity is imperative and a goal of many organizations and changemakers working to advance equitable well-being, it’s also a common challenge. Explore newly curated resources on health equity and how to work towards equitable well-being for all.

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New PHERN Topic:

Disease Tracking & Surveillance

Disease surveillance helps us detect disease cases and understand risk factors, provides the basis for timely and informed decision-making, and helps us monitor impacts. Since the onset of COVID-19, surveillance efforts have worked to provide real-time tracking and forecast data, though investments in modern data systems and a skilled workforce are still needed. Learn more and explore dozens of newly added resources on this important topic.

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How Cities Can Build Food System Resilience

The prevailing, globalized model of food supply chains is as fragile as a spider web. It can shatter into dangling threads in times of crisis, such as a pandemic or other natural disasters. Building more resilient food systems is possible, whether through shortened supply chains, climate-smart agricultural techniques, or the creation of robust markets for healthy, minimally-processed food. Read more about resilient food systems and learn about communities already putting in the work.

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New Topic: Decolonization

All peoples and cultures have the right to existence, autonomy, and self-determination. Despite significant grassroots and community-based efforts to reverse the ongoing effects of colonization, more is needed to address the United States’ legacies of inequity at the institutional, systemic, and cultural levels. Learn more about decolonization and explore dozens of newly curated resources on this important topic.

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How Land Banks and Community Land Trusts Can Partner for Racial Justice

Partnerships between community land trusts and public land banks stand to create racially equitable cities, towns, and regions by ensuring that Black residents and others excluded from home ownership due to structural racism benefit from quality, affordable homeownership opportunities. Learn more about the community organizing, advocacy, power building, and other action steps needed to achieve these racial justice goals.

The Opportunity Atlas

Which neighborhoods in America offer children the best chance to rise out of poverty? The Opportunity Atlas answers this question using anonymous data following 20 million Americans from childhood to their mid-30s. Now you can trace the roots of today’s affluence and poverty back to the neighborhoods where people grew up. See where and for whom opportunity has been missing, and develop local solutions to help more children rise out of poverty.

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The Poverty Line Matters, But It Isn’t Capturing Everyone It Should

How is poverty is measured in the United States? How does this measurement determine who receives government assistance, like SNAP benefits, Medicaid, or free and reduced school lunch? The current poverty threshold does not reflect economic reality, which means that people in need are being left behind. Read more about methods and ideas for improving official government poverty calculations and increasing coverage for government assistance benefits.

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2022's Most Popular Content on Community Commons

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New Topic: Middle Eastern and Arab Americans

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