Advancing Culturally Informed Healthcare

In response to racial disparities in health outcomes, in 2022 Linn County Public Health (LCPH) convened a Health Equity Work Group.  

“The original goal of the work group was to understand how racism impacts mental health in our community,” said Anne Carter, Health Equity Program Manager at LCPH. “We also wanted to explore ways our healthcare system can provide culturally informed care and promote social belonging.”

As in much of the nation, racial disparities persist in Linn County in a wide range of categories. Inequitable policies and practices have led to disparate outcomes in what are known as the social determinants of health—the non-medical factors that affect a person’s health and quality of life. These can include income, education, housing, social support networks, and access to food, among other things.

While disparities in these categories are certainly cause for concern, their impact on health and wellbeing can be shocking. Black adults in Linn County are almost twice as likely as their White peers to experience 14 or more poor mental health days in a month. Those born in rural Linn County or suburban neighborhoods can expect to live some 15-20 years longer than those born in Cedar Rapids’ core, historically redlined neighborhoods—despite those areas being nearest to healthcare facilities.

Gathering Community Input

The group was initially composed of those best positioned to make improvements to the local healthcare system—UnityPoint St. Luke’s, Mercy Hospital, and the Eastern Iowa Health Center. To ensure the work group’s goals aligned with actual community needs, residents with lived experience were quickly added to the roster. Members share a hope for a healthier future for Linn County.

“I joined this group because I believe racial equity needs to be a priority of anyone committed to economic, political, and social justice,” said Slayton Thompson, a longtime community leader. “The next generation will face these issues, so we need to respond to these difficulties now in a futuristic way.”

To help develop shared language and mutual understanding, the work group uses the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation framework, which focuses on systemic change at the local level. Of course, a framework for engaging in these challenging conversations is not enough. A $25,000 Program Support Grant in the spring of 2024 supported training, research, and ongoing participation.

“Last fall we held a two-day workshop led by the Racial Equity Institute,” Anne said. “It was an intensive dive into structural racism, its history, and how it shows up here in our community.”

To further that understanding, the group partnered with Empowered Solutions Collective and students from Coe College, Mount Mercy University, and the University of Iowa to conduct a series of focus groups. Input from community members, healthcare professionals, and social workers will help guide the work group’s efforts going forward. This spring, a community survey will gather broader community input.

Looking Ahead

Moving forward, the Health Equity Work Group aims to use its strong collaboration to find actionable solutions and promote culturally informed healthcare. The group is currently exploring an innovative peer-to-peer model for helping people overcome adversity, and participating hospitals and clinics remain committed to the self-reflection needed for meaningful change.

“In order to help our community be healthy, we need to learn from community experiences and use that learning to influence change in our organizations,” said Lori Weih, Director of Community Engagement at UnityPoint Health. “Partnering and learning in this way can have a profound impact. When we work together as a community, we can ensure everyone receives exceptional care.”

While there is much to be done, the group is optimistic about the direction they’re taking.

“I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of access to healthcare and mental wellness impacts students,” said Cymone Green, a work group member and Equity in Student Success Coach at Kirkwood Community College. “Acknowledging racism as a public health crisis allows us to take meaningful steps toward equity and lasting change in our community.”

To view all of the recent grants funded by the Community Foundation, click here.