The newly created Harris Health Sheila Jackson Lee Center for Accelerating Health Equity (CArE) launched its first public event on Feb. 19, Health Equity in Action Summit, at the Northeast Campus of Houston Community College. The summit brought together people from all walks of life who are committed to improving the health and well-being of area residents.
CArE is dedicated to advancing the march toward health equity and human flourishing by ensuring equitable access to care and partnering to create healthier communities. It was named in honor of former U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX 18th District), who served in her role for nearly 30 years representing the constituents of her district and the residents of Houston and Harris County. During her long political career, she championed social justice and health equity for the most vulnerable populations through her legislative and advocacy work.
CArE fosters sustainable partnerships, drives systemic change and develops innovative solutions to support historically marginalized communities. It coordinates and focuses health equity efforts on the needs of the community, particularly among Black and Hispanic populations who have been traditionally underserved.
“The summit serves as an ideal starting point for the conversation and collaboration that are necessary to advance health equity. Harris Health was founded almost 60 years ago to provide healthcare services to the underserved. We are proud of what we have accomplished,” says Chethan Bachireddy, MD, MSc, chief health officer, Harris Health, and executive director, CArE. “However, we recognize there is more work to be done. Inequities in maternal health, heart health, and behavioral health are bigger than any one team or institution. Solving systemic inequities requires a systemic, cross-sectoral, and multi-disciplinary approach fueled by the community.”
CArE takes a strategic approach focused on trust-building, rigorous data analysis and deep community collaboration by investing in exceptional healthcare and forging strong partnerships to improve health outcomes where people live, work and play. CArE achieves this through its five pillars, which serve as its core strategies for action:
- Community collaboration
- Exceptional healthcare
- Equity innovation
- Workforce development and culture
- Community investment and advocacy
“Each of these five pillars represents a crucial component of achieving true health equity,” said Himika Rahman, MD, MPH, manager of strategic initiatives, Population Health, Harris Health. “We cannot focus on healthcare alone; only by tackling these issues holistically can we create meaningful and lasting improvements in health outcomes for all.”
Health equity in action: Seven key initiatives
As part of the summit, CArE highlighted seven key initiatives designed to address the five pillars. These initiatives demonstrate CArE’s commitment to holistic healthcare approaches that consider medical, social and economic factors.
- Community Health Worker Program: supports Harris Health patients with uncontrolled Type II Diabetes through home and virtual visits, ensuring comprehensive, coordinated care.
- HealthyConnect for Hypertension: a remote patient monitoring program that provides real-time visibility of patient-submitted blood pressure readings.
- Culinary Medicine Classes: a patient-centered curriculum incorporating nutrition education and hands-on cooking instruction.
- Medical-Legal Partnership: integrates legal expertise into healthcare settings to address structural issues that contribute to health inequities.
- Be Well™ Acres Homes: a resident-led initiative to promote wellness and reduce chronic disease risks in the Acres Homes community.
- Food Rx at the Food Farmacy: addresses food and nutrition insecurity by providing fresh, healthy food to patients with chronic conditions.
- CArE’s Heart Health Focus: Harris Health is committed to a five-year plan to improve heart health equity to aid in reducing life expectancy gaps in Houston.
“These initiatives are just the beginning,” Rahman says. “Each year, we will refine and expand our focus based on community needs, emerging challenges and the impact of our ongoing efforts. By continuously evolving, we can ensure that our strategies remain relevant and effective in addressing health disparities and improving the well-being of the communities we serve.”
The long-term goal is to make the summit an annual event, continually evolving with new insights and partnerships.
“CArE is committed to deepening Harris Health’s efforts by actively listening, fostering collaboration and finding ways to collectively address complex health challenges affecting our patients and their families,” Bachireddy says.
Understanding the needs and concerns of the community is essential to achieving health equity. CArE encourages community members to share their insights, experiences and suggestions to help shape future initiatives. To learn more about the Harris Health Sheila Jackson Lee Center for Accelerating Health Equity, visit CArE’s webpage or email care@harrishealth.org.
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