Health equity

In February 2008, King County launched the Equity & Social Justice Initiative, to eliminate long-standing and persistent inequities and social injustices. The goal of the Initiative is for all King County residents to live in communities of opportunity. To reach this goal, all communities must be given the ability to provide individuals with access to livable wages, affordable housing, quality education, quality heath care, and safe and vibrant neighborhoods. King County is applying the principles of the equity and social justice in its actions, decisions, and policies. What you can do GET INVOLVED Group discussions provide an opportunity for meaningful dialogue about inequities and their effects on people's lives and health. Participants will look at upstream causes of inequities and spur actions. Find out how. SUPPORT MEASURES THAT INCREASE EQUITY Services such as mass transportation are utilized by vulnerable populations, like the elderly and disabled. These programs require support and funding.

UNNATURAL CAUSES is the acclaimed award winning documentary series broadcast by PBS and now used by thousands of organizations around the country to tackle the root causes of our alarming socio-economic and racial inequities in health status.

What Public Health is doing

	King County Equity and Social Justice Initiative In February 2008, King County launched the Equity & Social Justice Initiative, to eliminate long-standing and persistent inequities and social injustices.
	King County 2008 Equity and Social Justice Report (PDF) The King County Equity and Social Justice Initiative takes aim at these inequities and injustices.
	King County Communities Count The Communities Count Partnership is committed to improving community health and well-being through information advocacy—providing accurate and timely reports on conditions that matter to King County residents.
	Multilingual Public Health Educational Materials Public Health - Seattle & King County provides services and community information in multiple languages both online and at our Public Health Centers.
	King County Public Health Centers Public Health services are provided at Public Health Centers located in Seattle and King County. Contact the Center nearest you for more information about services or call 206-296-4600 (voice) or TTY Relay: 711.

Selected articles

• Health Study Shows Disparity Between Hispanics, Whites
  Non-Hispanic white patients were twice as likely as Hispanics to be given pain relievers for major fractures at a California emergency room, a study found.
  
  
• Report: Health-care disparities shortchange minorities, poor
  "There are geographic, linguistic and financial barriers to accessing medical care. And they disproportionately affect people of color," said Gerald Smith, associate director of the grass-roots group Northwest Federation of Community Organizations and author of the report.

Local resources

• City of Seattle Walk Bike Ride
  Will create an equitable transportation system for all by providing more affordable travel choices; Focus on the places where people want to be and add qualities that make them want to stay; Prioritize right-of-way space to emphasize walking, biking and riding.
  
  
• Seattle Race and Social Justice Initiative
  The Initiative has focused on the City's own programs and services as a necessary first step before engaging the community more broadly.
  
  
• Seattle Race Conference
  The conference explored the issue of reparations.
  
  
• King County Office of Civil Rights
  The Office of Civil Rights investigates and resolves complaints of discrimination, provides education, and offers technical assistance.
  
  
• Trust for Public Land's Park Equity and Public Health Toolkit
  Provides training materials to help increase awareness of the link between accessible parks and physical activity; introduce the concept of local public finance for parks; and demonstrate the park equity mapping model.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Action Institute: Impacting Change at State and Local Levels
  
  
• California Newsreel's Unnatural Causes
  Award-winning video series and resource for discussion on social determinants of health
  
  
• PolicyLink
  PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works.