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Bureau of Community Partnerships & Health Equity
- Office on Women’s Health and Community Health
- Bureau of Community Partnerships & Health Equity
Established in January 2019, the Louisiana Department of Health’s (LDH) Bureau of Community Partnerships and Health Equity (BCPHE) is dedicated to advancing health equity across the department. Our mission is to envision thriving communities where every person in Louisiana has equitable access to respectful and inclusive healthcare, providing the opportunity to attain their full health potential. to ensure that LDH services are accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of the communities we serve.
BCPHE collaborates with LDH offices, bureaus, programs, and sections to integrate health equity and community engagement principles throughout the department. We also build partnerships with external organizations to strengthen connections between LDH and the broader Louisiana community.
The Bureau led the creation and rollout of LDH’s first agency-wide health equity strategy, known as the LDH Health Equity Roadmap Phase 1. This Roadmap sets the standards for health equity practices and protocols across all LDH divisions.
Phase 2 of the Health Equity Roadmap builds on the groundwork established in Phase 1. It aims to further embed health equity into LDH’s policies, programs, and culture with a focus on our guiding principle: “Nothing About Us Without Us.” This principle highlights our commitment to actively engaging with community members and fostering meaningful relationships and communication.
Vision
To elevate and advance health equity through collaboration with those who serve and are served by the Louisiana Department of Health.
Our Work
Guided by the theme “Nothing About Us Without Us,” BCPHE engages in several tactics to promote community partnerships for LDH. BCPHE is currently working to broaden our network of partnering organizations across the state, with an emphasis on organizations focused on marginalized populations.
To supplement the work of building community partnerships, BCPHE created the Community Engagement Toolkit which guides LDH offices in their community engagement activities. The creation of the toolkit by BCPHE supports Initiative 11 of the LDH Fiscal Year 2022 Business Plan, which is to “Leverage Community Partnerships to Improve Participation in LDH Programs and Improve Program Design.” The toolkit ensures that LDH delivers efficient, effective and equitable services to the communities they serve through cultural acknowledgment and meaningful communication.
BCPHE facilitates meaningful and purposeful discussion on regional and local needs to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes through the Louisiana Health Equity Consortium (LHEC). LHEC centralizes health equity efforts across the state by bringing governmental entities and community leaders and policy-makers together to strategically foster improvement in identified health outcomes.
Contact Us
Rudy Macklin
Director - Governor’s Council of Fitness & Bureau of Minority Health Access Rudy.Macklin@la.gov 225-342-4886Kyleigh Jackson, MS
Health Equity Manager Kyleigh.Jackson@la.govJon'na Bailey
Public Health Associate Jonna.Bailey@la.govKimberly Garb, MPH
Grants and Projects Coordinator Kimberly.Garb@la.govHelpful Resources
BCPHE Resources
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Housing/Homeless
Medicaid Accepting Providers
Reentry Services
Substance Misuse Treatment
WIC
Publications
An Ecosystem of Health Disparities and Minority Health Resources
Visualize data and locate information critical to understanding minority health, health disparities and their determinants. Find and submit interventions and resources to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based interventions to improve minority health and reduce health disparities.
The Business Case for Racial Equality (A Strategy for Growth)
This report seeks to expand the narrative associated with racial equity by adding a compelling economic argument to the social justice goal. Beyond an increase in economic output, advancing racial equity can translate into meaningful increases in consumer spending, as well as federal and state/local tax revenues, and decreases in social services spending and health-related costs.
Minority Health Activities
BMHA collaborates with a diverse group of professionals who are dedicated to understanding and improving health inequities that specifically challenge minorities and underserved populations in Louisiana. Partnerships are established with community-based organizations, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), faith-based organizations and local city and parish governments to identify healthcare gaps, analyze data, and consult with healthcare professionals and policymakers in order to help build community skills, capacities and leadership. The exchange of information among partners is critical, whether formal or informal and this exchange allows everyone to learn how communities have addressed health issues in order to mitigate specific health disparities.
Louisiana Health Disparities Report
The purpose of this report is to detail the Bureau’s progress toward creating a state action plan to eliminate health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. This report will provide an overview of the Bureau and its responsibilities. In the following pages, information, diagrams, maps, and charts are included to demonstrate certain aspects of the health status and disease prevalence of Louisiana’s citizens. This information can provide direction in assessing and planning for disease prevention as well as accessing health care and education for Louisiana’s multicultural populations and communities.
The National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health Equity
The fundamental purpose of the National Stakeholder Strategy is to promote systematic and systemic change that improves the overall health of the nation. Achieving this purpose will take time, include many people, and require that steps be taken incrementally while maintaining focus on the ultimate goal of achieving health equity. In this regard, the information in this section addresses the practical matter of what may be required to influence change and improve outcomes for affected communities.
National Prevention Strategy: America’s Plan for Better Health and Wellness
Preventing disease and injuries is key to improving America’s health. When we invest in prevention, the benefits are broadly shared. Children grow up in communities, homes, and families that nurture their healthy development, and people are productive and healthy, both inside and outside the workplace. Businesses benefit because a healthier workforce reduces long-term health care costs and increases stability and productivity. Furthermore, communities that offer a healthy, productive, stable workforce can be more attractive places for families to live and for businesses to locate.
Healthy People 2020 Objectives
Healthy People provides science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans. For 3 decades, Healthy People has established benchmarks and monitored progress over time in order to:
- Encourage collaborations across sectors.
Guide individuals toward making informed health decisions.
Measure the impact of prevention activities.
National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy
For more than 30 years, I’ve observed the difficulties many people face as they attempt to use our healthcare system. I’ve seen firsthand the inequities in health status and access to care and the outcomes that persist. My own experiences in treating patients, running a large government agency and overseeing academic research, have given me a unique perspective about the Nation’s health care and public health systems, and more importantly, the need to make health literacy a public health priority.
Community Partners
- Louisiana Primary Care Association
- Louisiana Public Health Institute
- Southern University Ag Center
- Southwest Louisiana AHEC
- Louisiana State University
- Louisiana Cancer Prevention and Control Program
- Xavier University Louisiana - Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education (CMHDRE)
Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Statement
The D&I statement is a part of the of the 2019 LDH Phase-I Health Equity Plan.
The full plan can be seen here; the D&I statement is on page 31 of the plan.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) characterizes equity, diversity and inclusion as representing the differences and similarities of all individuals while creating a work environment in which those same individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to the work of LDH in a safe and welcoming environment.
LDH values diversity in its workplace, vendor network, customers, and communities. As a state agency, LDH believes that diversity contributes to the success of Louisiana and society. LDH values the unique contributions of individuals with wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. and believes an inclusive culture allows our employees to contribute their best. Because of this, LDH is committed to equal opportunity and fair treatment for all.
This agency prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, gender, religion, ethnicity, disability, marital or family status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, medical condition, or any other non-merit factor. LDH is fully committed to being a model for equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility, where all team members are treated with dignity and respect. This principle extends to all decisions relating to recruitment, hiring, contracting, training, placement, advancement, compensation, benefits, and termination.
News
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Rural Health Scholars Program offers students opportunity to learn in rural, underserved areas
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Louisiana Department of Health encourages everyone to get tested on National HIV Testing Day, Monday, June 27