Office of Health Equity

Torrie T. Harris, Dr.P.H.
Director
Assistant Professor
University of Kentucky
College of Public Health
275 E. Main Street, HS1WG
Frankfort, KY 40621
502-564-3527 ext. 4027
Torrie.Harris@ky.gov

The Kentucky Office of Health Equity (KY OHE) was established in September 2008, functionally operating through the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), Commissioner's Office. Funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US DHHS), Office of Minority Health (OMH) supports KY OHE.

The office was created to address health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities, and rural Appalachian populations. Specifically, KY OHE seeks to create opportunities for health equity relating to infant mortality and preconception care as well as chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and HIV.

The overarching goals of the KY OHE are as follows:

1. Build the state's infrastructure to address the elimination of health disparities through strategic planning, data collection, and program evaluation.
2. Train and develop a culturally competent public health workforce across the state of Kentucky.
3. Disseminate culturally and linguistically appropriate products, health programs and health services.
4. Enhance community capacity to develop health equity.
5. Support policies for the elimination of health disparities.

The KY OHE supports a wide variety of activities and services including promoting effective partnerships with local universities, non-profit organizations, and private health systems. Since 2008, KY OHE has formed official partnerships with the agencies listed below.

• Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky
• Health Equity Network
• Kentucky Governor's Office of Minority Empowerment
• Kentucky Health Departments Association
• Kentucky Commission on Human Rights
• Kentucky Office of Emergency Preparedness and Planning
• Kentucky Office of Maternal and Child Health
• Kentucky Office of Quality Improvement and Prevention
• Kentucky Office of Women's Health
• Kentucky Public Health Association
• Kentucky State University
• Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, Center for Health Equity
• Saint Joseph's Health System
• University of Kentucky Office of Multicultural Affairs

In collaboration with the Center for Health Equity, Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, KY OHE is conducting focus groups to address the social determinants of infant mortality health disparities among African Americans.

KY OHE is in the beginning stages of forming the Eliminating Health Disparities Advisory Committee. This committee will advise state and local health departments on program development, tracking, monitoring, and collecting health disparities related data. The committee will also provide training and support capacity building and policy development. Members will consist of state and local health department directors, epidemiologists, policy makers, health researchers, and community members. The ultimate goal of the Advisory Committee will be to devise a Health Disparities Report. This report will offer health professionals across the state a snapshot of health disparities in the state. Furthermore, the report will provide a foundation for moving towards health equity.

Through the leadership of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, the KDPH has the opportunity to oversample minority populations to enhance the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey. The data from this survey will contribute the understanding of underserved populations in the state. Additionally, the state will assure a policy of collecting data for all racial and ethnic populations as well as that of rural Appalachian populations.