In last month’s column, I talked about glaring examples of disparities in healthcare over many decades, and the need for all of us to have honest conversations about how to recognize, address, and end practices that contribute to healthcare disparities.

This month, I wanted to shift the conversation a bit and focus on some good, positive things happening in the local landscape as it pertains to taking steps to create more equitable healthcare. First, I wanted to talk about the RI Department of Health’s (DOH) Health Equity Zones (HEZ) Initiative. Working with local cities and towns, the DOH has created 10 HEZs across the state. These are geographical areas designed to achieve health equity using place-based strategies to promote healthy communities, neighborhoods, and places where people live, work, play, and learn. The goal is to foster social and physical environments that support healthy choices and safe living.

This initiative creates and funds opportunities for collaboration; provides technical assistance for HEZs, as well as training opportunities; supports innovative approaches to prevent chronic disease, improve birth outcomes, and improve socioeconomic and environmental conditions of neighborhoods across Rhode Island; supports strategies to promote healthy communities; and engages the community to reach public health goals. You can read and learn much more about the HEZ Initiative here.

The next resource I’d like to highlight is the Lifespan Community Health Institute (LCHI). Through this resource, Lifespan coordinates hundreds of free or reduced-cost programs, events, and community service activities, which serve between 25,000 and 30,000 southern New Englanders each year. Their mission is to eliminate health disparities and promote health equity through a combination of healthy behaviors, relationships, and environments.

LCHI programs focus on improving the social, economic, and environmental conditions in local communities, as well as increasing access to high-quality health services. One of the ways they increase that access is by serving as a liaison between the community and other Lifespan departments and resources, through events and strategic partnerships. You can read and learn much more about the LCHI here.

These are just two examples of many positive steps happening locally. BCBSRI is also taking several steps to champion health equity, and we look forward to working with our provider community—and our greater community—to ensure that it continues to be top of mind. We look forward to continuing having these important discussions.