Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Health Initiative values diversity, equity, and inclusion. More specifically:
We acknowledge that ableism, agism, homophobia, racism, transphobia and other forms of systemic oppression exist in the public health field and impact the health of our local communities.
We expect our workplace to be an inclusive environment built on mutual trust, respect, and dignity.
We encourage all employees and partners to use their unique perspectives to help advance our mission.
We commit to building a workplace where all employees feel safe bringing their authentic selves to work.
We strive to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion in our daily work.
We pledge to identify and eliminate barriers to equal opportunity in the workplace.
We aim to improve the health of those we serve by collaborating with our established community partners and forging new partnerships throughout the region.
We will use these values to shape how we carry out our mission of serving the residents of St. Lawrence County and the North Country Region.
The Health Initiative supports Black Lives Matter.
Community health encompasses so much more than what an individual eats or how much they exercise. It includes access to quality health care, employment, child care, safe housing, and more. How can we, as a community, improve health when so many do not have equitable access to these basic needs?
Health equity “means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care.”[1]
The recent protests and Black Lives Matter movement have brought to the forefront inequitable systems that negatively impact health for Black individuals and communities. The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd and so many more are horrific and maddening, and demand attention to this ongoing community health crisis. Racism is a barrier to good health, and that is unacceptable. We must recognize the systemic racism that prevents all people from having an equitable opportunity to be healthy across the nation, and in our community. The Health Initiative will continue its work to “measurably improve the health of St. Lawrence County residents, and residents of the North Country region, through collaborative community efforts”, and commit to doing our part to educate ourselves and work toward change to end racial injustices and associated health inequities. Black Lives Matter.
[1] Braveman P, Arkin E, Orleans T, Proctor D, and Plough A. What Is Health Equity? And What Difference Does a Definition Make? Princeton, NJ: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2017
