Health Equity Campaign
The World Health Organization defines health as “ A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Health starts beyond the doors of the clinic and inequities in health do as well. Equity means addressing the structural and systemic inequalities that create disparities in health, it means not only insuring access to care for all, but fighting for social, economic and environmental justice.\
Mission
To develop a generation of physician leaders who can identify equitable solutions to health disparities and are equipped with grassroots organizing skills to take action.
To develop a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the health implications of economic, social and political decisions and works to develop a society that provides health for all.
Our platform focuses on four areas in which AMSA can play a leading role in health equity
- Culturally and Socially Responsible Medical Education
- Healthcare Workforce diversity and training
- Social and Economic determinants of Health
- Quality of Care
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane” -Martin Luther King Jr.
Get Involved
Health Equity Circles
The Health Equity Circles program helps AMSA members create Health Equity Circle’s on their campus to increase awareness about health equity and recruit like-minded students to identify and take action on health equity issues on campus and in the larger community. If you are interested in starting a health Equity Circle contact
Luis Manriquez at hec.chair@amsa.org.
Health Equity Scholars Program
Twelve scholars will be chosen to participate in conference calls with leaders in the field of health equity. Scholars must prepare for these calls by reading provided articles and supplement knowledge with their own research. Scholars also participate in a group project to develop their abilities to move from education to action.
Health Equity Leadership Institute
January 15-17, 2010
The Health Equity Leadership Institute is an intensive experience that consists of didactic lectures as well as hands-on experiential training that focuses on understanding health equity and addressing them at the policy and community level. The institute will include training for and an opportunity to lobby on Capitol Hill on health equity relevant legislation. We will also meet with a community group that is working on health equity issues and engage in a grassroots action with them in a DC area community. Join premedical and medical students and residents from around the country and commit to leading the efforts to change power structures within our society to promote equality and equity!
Health Equity Campaign Partners
Native Health Initiative
We are the only American Indian (AI) partnership in the U.S. that is run by Tribes working with health professions students. Other unique aspects to our partnership
- Health projects created and driven by Tribal communities
- 95% funded by loving service and only 5% monetary donations
- Community members and volunteers share of their cultures
- Communities empower their youth to realize their heritage, their potential, and their power to become leaders
- No room for negativity, but we always recognize there is room for improvement
The Native Health Initiative, a partnership to address health inequities through loving service, envisions a day when we include underserved populations in the U.S. in our definition of "global health", a day when it is just as sexy (or more so!) to serve marginalized communities in your midst as opposed to going halfway around the world to find areas of need.
Resources
Health Equity and Social Justice Initiative
A program of the National Association of County and City Health Officials
National Health Equity Coalition
A National policy and advocacy network committed to elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities and the achievement of health equity.
Institute of Medicine
Select populations and Health disparities homepage, IOM has produced many reports on health disparities.
National Partnership for Action to end Health Disparities
The office of Minority Health program to address health disparities
Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities
The Center for Disease Control’s office of minority health and health disparities
Academy for Health Equity
Unnatural Causes
A 7-part PBS documentary addressing the social and economic determinants of health.
Health Equity Reading List
Composed by the Health Equity Campaign Steering committee