Three Ways the Department of Health and Human Services is Working Towards Health Equity
Health equity is all about ensuring that everyone has access to good health, no matter their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or any other factors. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been working hard towards achieving health equity for all Americans. In this article, we’ll discuss how the Department of Health and Human Services is working towards health equity via three major ways.
1. Investing in Health Promotion Programs
HHS has been investing in programs that promote healthier behavior and address the root causes of health disparities. This proactive measure is shown in programs like the Community Transformation Grants, which seek to advance health equity by empowering local communities to promote healthy living practices and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The grants have been distributed to communities to support the creation of environments that foster healthy behaviors, including healthy food options and making walking and cycling more accessible.
2. Health Care Access Improvements
To ensure health equity, individuals must have access to medical care services to diagnose, treat, and prevent medical conditions. The Department of Health and Human Services has been working to increase primary care access in communities with limited resources. The HHS’s Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) has worked to distribute health center funding to community health centers that provide quality medical care services to medically underserved populations. The HRSA has expanded access to primary care providers and improved the use of medical technology in the provision of medical services.
3. Addressing Social Determinants of Health
The Department of Health and Human Services is aware that social determinants, such as low-income levels, housing instability, and food insecurity, impact individual and community health outcomes. The department seeks to address social determinants through initiatives such as the Healthy People 2020 plan. The plan seeks to promote health and prevent disease and injury through evidence-based interventions in health equity, social determinants of health, and health care delivery. This initiative focuses on the drivers of health inequities, getting stakeholders to work together to address factors such as housing, transportation, employment, education, and environmental quality.
Conclusion
The Department of Health and Human Services is taking significant steps towards achieving health equity and improving public health. The investment in health promotion programs, improvement in medical care access, and addressing social determinants of health are all important ways of achieving this goal. Ultimately, the department’s work helps ensure that everyone has a fair chance to lead a healthy life and reach their full potential.
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