Why Health Equity Matters

When a region is equitable, it means all the residents—no matter their neighborhood, gender, race, ethnicity, income, age or ability—are able to access and appreciate the resources of the area. Equitable regions are prosperous, and they experience stronger, more sustained growth.

Unfortunately, in our community and many others across the county, we see sharp disparities in health outcomes when we disaggregate data by geography and race. Histories of exclusion have limited opportunities for people of color to access a quality education, attain economic self-sufficiency, build generational wealth, participate fully in society, and live in good health. When structural barriers limit the ability of a group of people to participate fully and thrive, the entire community misses out on their gifts, talents, and contributions.

This hurts all of us. The good news is, we can change it.

three images of community and staff members of different racial identities at various Foundation-involved events

Pinellas County Data Shows:

Within Pinellas County, only 69% of kids pass Kindergarten.

These findings are disproportionate by race (Black) and geography.

20% of Black St Pete residents live in poverty.

This is compared to 9% of white City residents.

Infant mortality is 2.6x as high for Black babies.

This is compared to infant mortality rates for White babies.

Healing from Our History

From an absence of affordable housing and fresh food to inadequate medical care, many Pinellas County residents lack access to the basic building blocks of a healthy life. In a modern and well-resourced society, these barriers to health should not exist. For many who do not experience these challenges firsthand, it’s easier to imagine people’s circumstances are tied to personal choices. The reality is that inequity is written into the very fabric of our society, which was designed historically to limit the opportunities and potential for people of color in our country.

We have all inherited our nation’s history of systemic exclusion. The good news is that, since people created our systems, people have the power to change them, one step at a time.

The Path Forward

Just as society once worked to build barriers, we can work to remove them. Your contributions may include lived experience, time, energy, or a voice to vote for better policies. What is good for one part of the community is proven to help the community as a whole. Healthy people – leading fuller, longer lives – build stronger, more stable communities.

The Foundation believes that by working toward long-term systems change that provides equity of opportunity for all residents, there will be a decrease in morbidity and mortality rates (how often and badly someone is sick, and at what age we die). When race is no longer a prominent variable in predicting health outcomes, we will have achieved racial health equity.

It’s a long road, but progress is being made every day through the work of funded partners, systems leaders and people like you.

 

Join our Community of Changemakers

It is through our collective actions and ideas that we will achieve racial and health equity in Pinellas County. Keep pushing the movement forward. Connect with the Foundation and subscribe to our emails to stay updated on opportunities, developments, and events around equity.

Thank you for your interest!