1
|
Spencer S, Hollingbery T, Bodner A, Hedden L, Rudoler D, Christian E, Lavergne MR. Evaluating engagement with equity in Canadian provincial and territorial primary care policies: Results of a jurisdictional scan. Health Policy 2024; 140:104994. [PMID: 38242021 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.104994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Equitable access to primary care is essential to achieving more equitable health outcomes, yet evidence suggests that structurally marginalized populations are less likely to have benefited from varied primary care reforms in Canada. Our objective is to determine how equity is incorporated in public primary care policy and strategy documents across Canada. We conducted string term and snowball searches for provincial/territorial primary care policy documents published between 01 January 2018 and 30 June 2022, extracted the policy objective, and applied a rubric to evaluate each document's engagement with equity. We performed content analysis of the documents which acknowledged inequities and articulated a related policy response. Of the 224 identified documents that discussed primary care policy: 63 (28 %) identified one or more structurally marginalized group(s) experiencing inequities related to primary care, 64 (29 %) identified a structurally marginalized group and articulated a policy response, and 16 (7 %) articulated a detailed policy response to address inequities. Even where policy responses were articulated, in most cases these did not directly address the acknowledged inequities. The absence of measurable goals, meaningful community consultation, and tenuous connections between the policy response and inequities mentioned may help explain persistent inequities in primary care across Canada.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Spencer
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Tai Hollingbery
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa ON, L1G 0C5, Canada
| | - Aidan Bodner
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Suite 425, Toronto ON, M5T 3M6, Canada
| | - Lindsay Hedden
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - David Rudoler
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa ON, L1G 0C5, Canada
| | - Erin Christian
- IWK Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Avenue, Halifax NS, B3K 6R8, Canada
| | - M Ruth Lavergne
- Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, 1465 Brenton Street, Suite 402, Halifax NS, B3J 3T4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Marcus R, Monga Nakra N, Pollack Porter KM. Characterizing Organizational Health Equity Capacity Assessments for Public Health Organizations: A Scoping Review. Public Health Rep 2024; 139:26-38. [PMID: 36891964 PMCID: PMC10905768 DOI: 10.1177/00333549231151889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Organizational health equity capacity assessments (OCAs) provide a valuable starting point to understand and strengthen an organization's readiness and capacity for health equity. We conducted a scoping review to identify and characterize existing OCAs. METHODS We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases and practitioner websites to identify peer-reviewed and gray literature articles and tools that measure or assess health equity-related capacity in public health organizations. Seventeen OCAs met the inclusion criteria. We organized primary OCA characteristics and implementation evidence and described them thematically according to key categories. RESULTS All identified OCAs assessed organizational readiness or capacity for health equity, and many aimed to guide health equity capacity development. The OCAs differed in regard to thematic focus, structure, and intended audience. Implementation evidence was limited. CONCLUSIONS By providing a synthesis of OCAs, these findings can assist public health organizations in selecting and implementing OCAs to assess, strengthen, and monitor their internal organizational capacity for health equity. This synthesis also fills a knowledge gap for those who may be considering developing similar tools in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Marcus
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Keshia M. Pollack Porter
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kegler MC, Hermstad A, Haardörfer R, Arriola KJ, Gauthreaux N, Tucker S, Nelson G. Evaluation Design for The Two Georgias Initiative: Assessing Progress Toward Health Equity in the Rural South. HEALTH EDUCATION & BEHAVIOR 2023; 50:268-280. [PMID: 35306908 DOI: 10.1177/10901981211060330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
As persistent inequities in health gained increased attention nationally due to COVID-19 and racial justice protests in 2020, it has become increasingly important to evaluate both the process and outcomes associated with coalition-based efforts to address health inequities. The Two Georgias Initiative supports coalitions in 11 rural counties to (1) achieve greater health equity, (2) improve health and health care, (3) build healthier rural communities and improve social conditions that impact the health of rural populations, and (4) build community, organizational, and individual leadership capacity for health equity. Rural communities suffer significant health disparities relative to urban areas, and also experience internal inequities by race and poverty level. The evaluation framework for The Two Georgias Initiative provides a comprehensive mixed methods approach to evaluating both processes and outcomes. Early results related to community readiness and capacity to address health inequities, measured through a coalition member survey (n = 236) conducted at the end of the planning phase, suggest coalitions were in the preparation stage, with higher levels of readiness among coalition members and organizations/groups similar to the coalition members' own, lower levels among public officials and other leaders, and the lowest levels among county residents. In addition, coalition members reported more experience with downstream drivers (e.g., access to care) of health than upstream drivers (e.g., affordable housing, environmental or racial justice). By providing a logic model, evaluation questions and associated indicators, as well as a range of data collection methods, this evaluation approach may prove practical to others aiming to evaluate their efforts to address health equity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Gary Nelson
- Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Williams VN, McManus BM, Brooks-Russell A, Yost E, Allison MA, Olds DL, Tung GJ. A qualitative study of effective collaboration among nurse home visitors, healthcare providers and community support services in the United States. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:1881-1893. [PMID: 34543476 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Collaboration across sectors is needed to improve community health, but little is known about collaborative activities among public health prevention programs. Using the Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) home visiting program as context, this qualitative study aimed to describe effective collaboration among nurse home visitors, healthcare providers and community support services to serve families experiencing social and economic adversities. We used grounded theory to characterise collaboration with six purposively sampled NFP sites in the United States through in-depth interviews. We interviewed 73 participants between 2017 and 2019: 50 NFP staff, 18 healthcare providers and 5 other service providers. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, validated and analysed in NVivo 11. Validation steps included inter-coder consistency checks and expert review. Thematic memos were synthesised across sites. Most participants perceived collaboration to be important when serving families with complex needs, but substantial variation existed in the degree to which NFP nurses collaborate with providers dependent on provider type and community context. Factors that contributed to effective collaboration were relational in nature, including leadership commitment and provider champions, shared perceptions of trust, respect and value, and referral partnerships and outreach; organisational in terms of mission congruence between providers; and structural such as policy and system integration that facilitated data sharing and communication channels. These findings provide greater insights into effective cross-sector collaboration and care coordination for families experiencing adversities. Collaboration across sectors to promote health among families experiencing adversities requires intentional efforts by all inter-professional providers and continued commitment among all levels of leadership to coordinate services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venice Ng Williams
- Prevention Research Center for Family & Child Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Health Systems, Management & Policy, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Beth M McManus
- Department of Health Systems, Management & Policy, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ashley Brooks-Russell
- Department of Community & Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Elly Yost
- Nurse-Family Partnership National Service Office, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Mandy A Allison
- Prevention Research Center for Family & Child Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - David L Olds
- Prevention Research Center for Family & Child Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Gregory J Tung
- Department of Health Systems, Management & Policy, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Crowder SJ, Tanner AL, Dawson MA, Felsman IC, Hassmiller SB, Miller LC, Reinhard SC, Toney DA. Better together: Coalitions committed to advancing health equity. Nurs Outlook 2022; 70:S48-S58. [PMID: 35504756 PMCID: PMC9056016 DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2022.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report identifies coalitions as a driving force for advancing health equity. Five coalitions provided insight into their accomplishments, lessons learned, and role in advancing health equity. The exemplar coalitions included Latinx Advocacy Team and Interdisciplinary Network for COVID-19, Black Coalition Against COVID, Camden Coalition, National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations, and The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action. While all exemplar coalitions, credited relationship building and partnerships to their success, they used unique strategies for striving to meet their populations' needs, whether the needs arose from COVID-19, racial and/or ethnic disparities, socioeconomic disparities, or other barriers to health. Research and policy implications for coalitions are discussed. Nurses play a critical role in every highlighted coalition and in the national effort to make health and health care more equitable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharron J. Crowder
- Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN,Corresponding author: Sharron J. Crowder, Indiana University School of Nursing, 600 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN
| | | | - Martha A. Dawson
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, Birmingham, AL
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Callaway CA, Corveleyn AE, Barry MJ, Gorton EI, Nierenberg AA, Irwin KE. Lessons learned: Building a coalition to advance equity in cancer and mental health care. Psychooncology 2021; 30:2087-2091. [PMID: 34787348 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy E Corveleyn
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maura J Barry
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily I Gorton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew A Nierenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Dauten Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kelly E Irwin
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Schizophrenia Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Calancie L, Frerichs L, Davis MM, Sullivan E, White AM, Cilenti D, Corbie-Smith G, Hassmiller Lich K. Consolidated Framework for Collaboration Research derived from a systematic review of theories, models, frameworks and principles for cross-sector collaboration. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244501. [PMID: 33395449 PMCID: PMC7781480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cross-sector collaboration is needed to address root causes of persistent public health challenges. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify studies describing theories, models, frameworks and principles for cross-sector collaboration and synthesized collaboration constructs into the Consolidated Framework for Collaboration Research (CFCR). Ninety-five articles were included in the review. Constructs were abstracted from articles and grouped into seven domains within the framework: community context; group composition; structure and internal processes; group dynamics; social capital; activities that influence or take place within the collaboration; activities that influence or take place within the broader community; and activities that influence or take place both in the collaboration and in the community. Community engagement strategies employed by collaborations are discussed, as well as recommendations for using systems science methods for testing specific mechanisms of how constructs identified in the review influence one another. Researchers, funders, and collaboration members can use the consolidated framework to articulate components of collaboration and test mechanisms explaining how collaborations function. By working from a consolidated framework of collaboration terms and using systems science methods, researchers can advance evidence for the efficacy of cross-sector collaborations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Calancie
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Leah Frerichs
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Melinda M. Davis
- Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Eliana Sullivan
- Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Ann Marie White
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Dorothy Cilenti
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, National Maternal and Child Health Workforce Development Center, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Giselle Corbie-Smith
- Departments of Social Medicine and Internal Medicine, UNC Center for Health Equity Research, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Kristen Hassmiller Lich
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cooper DG, Christens BD. Justice System Reform for Health Equity: A Mixed Methods Examination of Collaborating for Equity and Justice Principles in a Grassroots Organizing Coalition. HEALTH EDUCATION & BEHAVIOR 2020; 46:62S-70S. [PMID: 31549558 DOI: 10.1177/1090198119859411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent critiques of collective impact have provided a conceptual alternative that emphasizes the necessity of community organizing, and more explicit emphasis on advancing equitable systems and policy changes. This article reports results from a study of a citywide coalition in Chicago, IL that espoused many of these same principles. The coalition focused on justice system reform-systems and policy change that would dismantle punitive policies disproportionately affecting people of color-but also sought to connect these efforts with broader social determinants of health. The organizations that comprised the coalition were a pairing of those traditionally involved in restorative justice practice, and those traditionally involved in grassroots organizing. An action research partnership provided an opportunity to investigate processes and outcomes of a coalition created to advance equitable systems and policy changes. This analysis of the coalition's functioning employs a mixed methods approach. We utilize two waves of interorganizational social network data and qualitative data including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and archival document review to examine the coalition's successes and challenges related to each of the six core principles of Collaborating for Equity and Justice. This analysis provides practical insights into the benefits and challenges of implementing deeply participatory processes to address policy and systemic drivers of social determinants of health. Findings show that fully integrating all six principles is challenging, especially when a coalition represents broad constituencies across race, geography, and organizational philosophy. In such diverse settings, considerable time must be spent to build relationships and a strong foundation for sustainable processes.
Collapse
|