The Equity in OC Initiative “Shared Definitions” is an evolving guidance to support our community members in their work to develop a common and shared language and understanding of health and racial equity. As with equity itself, developing equitable language is a process that is constantly undergoing change and requires adaptability and flexibility. These shared definitions, developed by the member representatives of the Public Health Alliance of Southern California from the perspective of individuals who live and work in the Southern California area, can be used to support the community’s work to develop a shared understanding of the terms and language often used in the context of discussing health and racial equity. These shared definitions should be seen as a starting point, not an end point, to the development of a local understanding of “health and racial equity terms” and their definitions in partnership with local communities most impacted by health and racial inequities.
- The Public Health Alliance of Southern California
Community-based organization means a public or private nonprofit organization of demonstrated effectiveness that is representative of a community or significant segments of a community and provides educational or related services to individuals in the community.
Cultural competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations.
Disparity refers to a state of being unequal. In health and social service systems, disparity is typically used to describe unequal outcomes experienced by one racial or ethnic group when compared to another racial or ethnic group (in contrast, disproportionality compares the proportion of one racial or ethnic group to the same racial or ethnic group in the population). For example, an examination of disparities may look at differences by race or ethnicity at various points of entry into the child welfare or juvenile justice system, differences by county or region, or differences by age (for example, infants, adolescents) to better understand the dynamics of disparities present in a given system.
Disproportionality refers to when a particular group is over or underrepresented in various systems (e.g., health, criminal justice, child welfare).
Equity acknowledges and considers differences, disparities, and disproportionality. Ensures a fair process, outcome, treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all, striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups while improving conditions of disadvantaged groups.
Health disparities are preventable differences identified in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations.
Health equity is when all groups in a population have fair and just opportunities to attain their full health, well-being and quality of life.
Health inequity are differences in population health status and mortality rates that are systemic, patterned, unfair, unjust, and actionable, as opposed to random or caused by those who become ill.
Program planning is the outline of events and activities that your members follow to reach the goals of the organization. A successful program plan provides detail and shows how each activity supports your organization’s mission.
Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These circumstances are shaped by distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels.
