Our Work
Racism Framework
Our Community Health Needs Assessments document racial disparities in health outcomes, health risk factors, healthcare access and utilization and many of the social determinants of health. The term ‘disparities’ describes the fact that there are differences – for example, more white people than people of color feel that their neighborhood is safe to walk at night, and more people of color than white people report being unemployed but wanting to work. But when we dig into the way these differences exist we find systemic barriers – policies, practices, and historical injustices that result in these differences (see Racial Justice and Health Equity Framework from the Boston Public Health Commission).Because these differences are unjust and preventable, they are inequities – and they can be changed through action.
Our Health Improvement Collaborative is committed to focusing attention on the role racism plays in creating these inequities. Only by explicitly addressing racism as a public health issue can we create community conditions where everyone can thrive.
Core Elements of Working Together:
Community Voice, Power-sharing, Trust
As the HIC has evolved we have worked to include more community members and use or meetings and events to share their stories. (e.g., during the health equity series). To encourage additional participation from grassroots and community organizations, the HIC created partnership grants, as part of a larger goal to support the work of community based organizations that that are dismantling white supremacy .
The coordinating team has taken concrete actions to shift power to all members. The HIC employs a consensus-driven decision making strategy based on the fist to 5 method and have explicit discussions on how racism manifests in the HIC and coordinating team. Further, the partnership grants (described above) are an attempt to shift power to grassroots and community organizations.
Trust is a foundational element to the work of the HIC. Each HIC member brings trust from different communities. Trust is built and maintained in following through on HIC partner feedback.
Action Teams
Partnership Grants
As part of our collective commitment to work to dismantle institutional and structural racism, the HIC has supported 6 community-based organizations working in the areas of community engagement and racial equity. You can learn more about these organizations and their projects in the links below.
Cultured AF Studios
Partnering with FRESH New London to present the Dream Market.
First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
Placing witness stones in their community to honor enslaved people.
Southeastern CT Organization for Racial Equity (SCORE)
Step Up New London
Empowering Black and Brown parents to promote “schools that work for us”.
