December 21, 2021
The Community Health Corner
Submitted by Stephanie Gutierrez
Health equity is achieved when every person has the opportunity to “attain his or her full health potential” and no one is “disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances.” Community health uses science-based approaches for the greatest health benefit to the greatest number of people by addressing social, economic and structural drivers that impact health.
READ NOW: A new Op-Ed, written by Dr. Larry Moss, CEO of Nemours Children’s Health; and Stacey Stewart, CEO of March of Dimes; outlines maternal and child health policy recommendations for Congress, focusing on the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act (S.1675/H.R.4387) and the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 (S.346/H.R.959).
USE NOW: The National Academies (NASEM) has served the nation for decades by drawing on the knowledge of the country’s top experts to deliver nonpartisan, objective advice on scientific matters. Based On Science is a page on NASEM’s website that uses a community of experts to provide answers to everyday health and science questions. Covered topics include children’s health, climate change, cancer, diabetes, sun safety, vaccines, weight loss and COVID-19.
LEARN NOW: The Improving Social Determinants of Health Act of 2021 (S. 104/H.R. 379) would create a SDOH program at CDC, including grants to states for a public health approach to SDOH. A fact sheet to the bill, which includes a list of endorsing organizations, can be found here.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu.