Erie County Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity recently released its annual Health Equity Report for 2023, which highlights various programs and community survey results related to six different social determinants of health. These determinants include economic stability, neighborhood and built environment, health care systems, education, social and community context, and language access.
The report aims to serve as a tool for local efforts to identify root causes of systemic issues and develop a deeper understanding of how individuals interact with systems that impact their health and overall quality of life. Key findings from the report shed light on the correlation between race and ethnicity and the heightened challenges faced by certain populations when it comes to accessing quality health care and securing assets.
Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Commissioner of Health, emphasized the importance of using the report to inform initiatives that address disparities and improve access to resources for marginalized groups. The report specifically highlights barriers such as affordability, education levels, transportation, and language access that hinder access to quality health care for these populations.
Leaders in Erie County stress the significance of data collection and prioritizing health equity to ensure that marginalized groups have access to essential resources like healthy food and quality health care. By addressing these disparities and barriers, they hope to create a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system for all residents.
