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Health Equity Policies

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 What can we do?

While it is important to eat well, exercise, and see a doctor regularly, our health is tied to a number of other factors. It is essential to push for social changes that will improve the quality of everyday life and, in then, the health of our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

One way to address inequities in systems and institutions influencing community health is to work on changing policies or practices that have unfair impacts and to implement policies and practices focused on equity. Policies are sets of rules that establish guidelines for behaviors, interactions, influence, and power. Policies exist and are enforced on multiple levels- families have policies (curfews, chores), public officials make and uphold policies (smoking regulations, traffic laws, etc.), and institutions and organizations have policies that govern the way they operate. Some policies can have positive or negative effects on our housing conditions, food environments, and the physical space in our neighborhoods, as well as our access to resources such as education and jobs. Policies can support turning vacant lots into community gardens and limit the advertising and availability of junk good while increasing access to healthy affordable foods. Policies can ensure street lights and cross walks are put up and maintained to support walking and biking. Policies can promote health equity by targeting what's unfair and regulating improvements in things like air quality, transportation design and job and educational opportunities.
 

ABOUT THE ZIP CODE CAMPAIGN
A few years ago, the Boston Public Health Commission launched a city-wide Health Equity Campaign. You may have seen its billboards, posters and MBTA signs with zip codes on them on your daily commute. The purpose of this campaign launch was to bring awareness to the idea that health is more than healthcare, genetics, or personal behavior and that Boston is a city of neighborhoods, each with their assets and challenges. Health is also shaped by where we live, work and play and the opportunities in those neighborhoods to access healthy food, education, employment, healthy housing and transportation. Health equity requires addressing the root causes of health inequity by engaging in policy, systems, and environmental change.  We know that there are hundreds of organizations across the city doing this work. 

Since the campaign’s launch, we have heard from many Boston residents who have been inspired to take action. As a next step to the campaign initiative, we have launched this website that features videos, profiles, information about organizations, initiatives and policies and more data about the health of each neighborhood.  Achieving health equity requires that we create opportunities for all of our city’s residents to reach their optimal health. Join us in creating a space where residents across Boston can share strategies and take action as part of a collaborative effort to achieve health equity.

 What's Happening Across the City?

ORGANIZE! Organize a group of colleagues, friends, or neighbors to identify how you can advance health equity and racial justice, or join a community group or colaition working to address inequity in the social, economic, or physical environment. The Boston REACH Coalition is one such group that has been meeting since 2000 to organize residents and organizations around action opportunities for health equity in Boston. Call 617-534-2291 or check out www.bphc.org/healthequity for more information.
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SHARE! Tell us what's going on in your community to advance health equity and racial justice: visit www.whatsyourhealthcode.com and click on TAKE ACTION. Fill out a profile form, read about what other organizations in the area are doing, and learn how you can get involved.
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GET TO KNOW YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS! Remember that elected officials make all these important decisions with limited time and information. To help make better informed decsions, our elected officials need to hear from us about the importance of supporting programs and policies that make a difference. It only takes a few minutes to call your legislator. Thank them when you are pleased with their actions or support, and constructively communicate to them when you are not. If you are concerned about an issue, let your elected officials know how it will affect you or your community. Remember that you have valuable information and expertise that elected officials may want or need.
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REGISTER AND GET OUT TO VOTE! Vote in every election, not just the big ones! Our elected officials- from the Preisdent to state representatives and city councilors- make choices every day about how money is spent, what laws are passed and what problems are addressed. Voting is the best and easiest way to make sure you have a voice in these important decisions. TO vote, you must be registered at your current address. You can check to find out if you are registered by visiting the Boston Elections Department website (www.cityofboston.gov/ELECTIONS) or by calling (617) 635-3767.
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RAISE AWARENESS! Pass the information you've learned on this site on to a family member, friend, or stranger. We need to be able to talk about racism and how it impacts all of us. Find out more about current local, state, and federal policy proposals and how they might impact the community. Contact your elected officials; testify at a legislative hearing; or write a letter to the editor for the local newspaper.
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 Who's Making Progress? - Watch These Videos

Center for Health Equity and Social Justice
The Center for Health Equity and Social Justice serves as a mentor for public health organizations working toward health equity by promoting community mobilization, community-based participatory research, program development, and program evaluation.
Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF)
The HSTF is a professionally-run non-profit with deep community ties and a reputation as one of the most dynamic community-based organizations in Boston. They serve 1,000 youth ages 6-21 from Jamaica Plain, Roxbury and across Boston through leadership development, college preparation, arts & cultural enrichment, youth-led community organizing and positive community-building events.
Boston Youth Service Network
The Boston Youth Service Network is a group of community-based organizations working collaboratively to provide alternative education and employment pathways for youth at risk. Organization engaged youth through a continuum of programs including nontraditional learning environments in althernative schools, career exploration programs to build job and life skills, integrated support services and postsecondary connections.


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Center for Health Equity and Social Justice - Boston Public Health Commission - 1010 Massachusetts Avenue - Boston, MA 02118.
Phone: 617-534-2291  Email:
healthequity@bphc.org | Website: www.bphc.org/healthequity