“It is important to recognize that to make an impact on priority issues/problems, addressing health inequities and their root causes are key.
Sandra Melstad”
Perhaps you are at the point where program or initiative is being planned or revised to address identified issues, priorities have been determined to address those issues, and now the task at hand is to develop an action plan to address those priorities and issues. But first, to move forward, it is important to recognize that to make an impact on priority issues/problems, addressing health inequities and their root causes are key.
Let’s review. An action plan describes steps that will be taken to address priorities and issues, including the identification of goals, objectives, strategies, and activities. Essentially the action plan describes what, who, by when, what resources, and communication (The Community Tool Box, 2020).
While there are common elements of an action plan, the quality of an action plan can differ broadly, including an emphasis on health equity. In general, a good action plan is complete and current; evidence-based, taking into consideration available research, community context, and practitioners’ knowledge and expertise; as well as is developed in collaboration with multi-sector stakeholders and community members knowledgeable and impacted by the issues (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.; The Community Tool Box, 2020).
However, to take an action plan from good to great requires a deliberate focus on health equity in the strategy development process. Being intentional about addressing health equity also includes supportive activities that address barriers or unintended consequences underserved populations may face during implementation. This focus helps ensure the impact across populations experiencing health inequities (CDC, 2013). For example:
Good Strategy: Create or improve places for physical activity to increase physical activity and improve fitness (The Community Guide, n.d.).
Great Strategy: Create or enhance equitable and accessible places for physical activity to increase physical activity in all populations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013) suggest recommendations to include a deliberate health equity focus and identify strategies and activities in an action plan.
Seek and balance community input and the best available evidence.
Ensure strategies are linked to identified inequities and improves the conditions of populations in most need.
Identify a comprehensive approach.
Consider the diversity of a community or population, including different needs.
Identify barriers and unintended consequences that underserved populations may face.
Use a tool to ensure health equity is part of strategy selection and design, such as Health Impact Assessment or HEAT.
If you are not sure where to start, start by reflecting on your current process and if there is a deliberate focus on health equity. Health equity can only be improved if there is an intentional focus across public health practice. Make addressing health equity the rule, not the exception.
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Understanding evidence: Evidence based decision-making summary. https://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/evidence/docs/EBDM_82412.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Division of Community Health. (2013). A Practitioner’s Guide for Advancing Health Equity: Community Strategies for Preventing Chronic Disease. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/state-local-programs/health-equity-guide/pdf/HealthEquityGuide.pdf
Guide to Community Preventive Services. Physical Activity: Creating or Improving Places for Physical Activity. https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/physical-activity-creating-or-improving-places-physical-activity. Page last updated: August 28, 2019. Page accessed: July 28, 2020
The Community Tool Box. (n.d.). Section 5. Developing an action plan. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/structure/strategic-planning/develop-action-plans/main