State and Territorial Infrastructure for Health Equity and Minority Health

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity Research
• Health Disparities

Background:

• State and Territorial Health Agencies (STHAs) play a critical role in addressing health disparities.
• Understanding the infrastructure and capacity of STHAs is essential for improving minority health outcomes.
• The National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities supports initiatives aimed at achieving health equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the infrastructure and capacity of STHAs in addressing health equity.
• To identify trends in resources dedicated to improving minority health outcomes over time.
• To inform strategies for closing the health disparities gap.

Main Methods:

• A census design survey, the Minority Health Infrastructure Survey, was administered to STHAs in 2007, 2010, and 2014.
• Both cross-sectional and longitudinal data were analyzed.
• Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed.

Main Results:

• The presence of primary contacts for health equity initiatives increased from 95.7% in 2007 to 100% in 2014.
• Full-time dedication of these contacts rose from 63.6% in 2007 to 82.0% in 2010, then slightly decreased to 81.1% in 2014.
• Organizational units for minority health increased from 78.3% in 2007 to 90.2% in 2010, then decreased to 84.9% in 2014.
• By 2014, 92.6% of STHAs included minority health in strategic plans, prioritizing data collection, partnerships, and cultural competency.

Conclusions:

• STHAs demonstrated growth in organizational resources for minority health between 2007 and 2010.
• Resource allocation appeared to stabilize or decline in certain areas between 2010 and 2014.
• Substantial nationwide investment and impactful strategies are necessary to effectively close health disparities.