Office of Health Equity lays out six‑point plan to reduce disparities and build accountability

Dr. Ayanna Bennett, director of the Office of Health Equity (OHE), briefed the Health Commission on a range of ongoing equity efforts and near‑term actions to make equity “operational” across the Department of Public Health.

Bennett framed OHE work around six principles: reduce health disparities; build authentic community relationships; develop a diverse skilled workforce; create sustainable infrastructure; build a culture that prioritizes equity; and provide accountability with concrete metrics. She said the office has expanded staffing, added data and policy capacity, and is launching neighborhood tours and community focus groups to ground program design in local knowledge.

Why it matters: Bennett displayed data showing persistent longevity gaps across neighborhoods and racial groups, described the Black Health Initiative planning and noted the need to disaggregate Asian and Pacific Islander subgroups. She emphasized that community partnerships and data reforms are a prerequisite to targeted program design.

Key points: OHE will run neighborhood tours for clinical staff; pay community‑based organizations to participate in research and planning; convene a partner meeting for the Black Health Initiative; and develop clearer policies about how race/ethnicity data are defined and used. Bennett said staff survey results show improved engagement and that the office is nearing completion of several items from the Commission’s 2020 equity resolution.

Commissioner questions: Commissioners asked whether multiracial data are being captured, how community partners will see the contracted research and how the department will coordinate hiring/recruitment messaging; Bennett said the data collection now allows multiple race/ethnicity responses and the office will convene community focus groups and publish findings as they are finalized.

What’s next: OHE will return with community‑informed metrics and policy language for race/ethnicity data use, and the department will continue to integrate equity statements into job announcements and recruiting materials.