Defining Health Equity

There is strong empirical evidence demonstrating that health disparities and Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) can have a large impact on the health of individuals, families, and society (OHE, 2020). In response, many organizations have been developing and implementing goals and practices to address and advance health equity. 

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) defines health equity as “the absence of disparities or avoidable differences among socioeconomic and demographic groups or geographical areas in health status and health outcomes such as disease, disability, or mortality” (HRSA, 2024). Building on more than two decades of research on healthy equity, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) developed a definition of health equity for the Healthy People 2030 campaign: “Achieving health equity requires valuing everyone equally with focused and ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and social determinants of health — and to eliminate disparities in health and health care” (ODHP, 2024). 

Read the full article to learn more about advancing health equity and available resources here.

Each June, Pride Month is a celebration recognizing the LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex) community. How can you support and affirm the #LGBTQI+ people in your life? Check out these resources to learn more about the different ways you can be an ally

Summer is often a time of substance use initiation for youth and young adults. The serious threat of fentanyl in our communities looms large and it is important to focus on prevention messaging during this time of year.  

From 2019 to 2021, overdose deaths among adolescents aged 10-19 increased. About 90% of these deaths involved opioids and 84% involved illicitly manufactured fentanyl.   

Engaging with youth and young adults can provide important insights into how this substance makes its way into our homes, schools, and communities and empower us to do something about it. That’s why SAMHSA is hosting a free webinar, FentAlert Challenge: Youth Innovators Advancing Fentanyl Overdose Prevention, on June 13, 2024, from 2pm to 3pm ET. FentAlert Challenge youth and young adult winners will share their strategies to increase awareness, education, and prevention around the dangers of fentanyl.    

FentAlert Challenge: Empowering Youth for Safer Choices—SAMHSA Fentanyl Awareness Youth Challenge encouraged youth ages 14-18 to develop a community strategy to educate their peers about fentanyl and fake pills—and prevent drug overdose deaths. Six winners and 25 honorable mentions were announced in May during SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week (NPW).   

Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 13, 2024, and register to attend.

Prevention Training Services Fall 2024 Virtual Prevention Specialist Conference

Biden-Harris Administration Expands Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Services with Addition of 10 New States to CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program

Semi-Synthetic Cannabis Products: Public Health Concerns and Policy Solutions (recorded webinar hosted by PTTC Network)

Swimming Upstream with Data, Prevention Data Sources Series (video series)