Uncovering the Root Cause of Health Inequities
Working with a diverse design team and with the support of a planning grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, IISC designed and facilitated an initiative to examine the root causes of health inequities – diabetes, in particular – in communities of color in Springfield. More than one hundred stakeholders came together to understand how social determinants create inequities in health outcomes for people of color compared to whites. The many and diverse stakeholders – including representatives of health care providers; local government; grassroots associations; and faith-based, community-based, and advocacy organizations – crafted strategies to address some of the determinants and deepened their relationships with one another in the process. IISC also delivered a Facilitative Leadership® workshop to members of the design team and others to build their leadership and collaborative skills. The Springfield Health Equity Initiative is now positioned to successfully implement the plan.