Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has released an annual progress report for Healthier Together Oregon (HTO), the State Health Improvement Plan. HTO is a strategic plan to advance health equity for six priority populations: communities of color, tribal communities, people with low income, people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit, or other ways people choose to self-identify (LGBTQIA2S+), people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees and people living in rural areas.
The report showcases efforts during the first year of implementation and highlights a multitude of accomplishments. Communities and government agencies made equity-centered changes to direct more resources to communities most affected by historic injustices. Policymakers in Salem passed historic investments and legislative changes that serve HTO objectives; and examples of each are highlighted throughout the report.
“A 30-page report cannot possibly collate all that happened across Oregon to advance the strategies and priorities identified in HTO, but it helps provide just a few shining examples of what this type of health equity-centered work can and does look like,” said Christy Hudson, Cross sector and strategic initiatives coordinator for Oregon Health Authority.
HTO relies on a collective impact approach, which requires broad partnership for success. The strategies in the plan are organized into eight implementation areas: equity and justice, healthy communities, housing and food, healthy families, healthy youth, workforce development, behavioral health and technology and health. HTO is also a tool for equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan builds off the individual and community resilience demonstrated in response to COVID-19.
“This annual report lifts up examples of work from a time that will be remembered for generations — between September 2020 and December 2021. During that time, people in Oregon endured a lot. And yet, our assets have never been stronger,” said Connie Dillinger, PartnerSHIP member.
The PartnerSHIP is a community steering committee for HTO. The PartnerSHIP is a group of 20 community representatives that provide statewide perspectives from priority populations and those who implement community health improvement plans. PartnerSHIP members provide direction and decision making about the plan.
To read the entire report in English, click here.
To read the entire report in Spanish, click here.
Source: Oregon Health Authority