This page contains information regarding the 2012 Health Equity Report. For the updated Virginia Health Opportunity Index (HOI) visit the Virginia HOI site.
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“Learn how to use the Health Opportunity Index (HOI)”
The 2012 Virginia Health Equity Report draws attention to health inequities among Virginians of varying socioeconomic, racial/ethnic, and urban/rural backgrounds. It recommends various inter-sectoral strategies and collaboration, for promoting health equity in Virginia. It provides a foundation on which partners and stakeholders can develop new plans/strategies and also receive/provide education on the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), with the goal of shaping policy and decision-making that promotes health equity in Virginia.
“The 2012 Virginia Health Equity Report [is] a great resource for audiences to see opportunities to create healthier communities and populations by addressing social determinants of health, allowing the data of disparities to drive effective policy-making and striving for health equity.”
-Dr. Cynthia C. Romero, Virginia State Health Commissioner
Report Target Audiences
Public health & medical professionals interested in data to guide their grants, programs & interventions.
Policy makers, advocates & communities interested in broad strategies & policy solutions to creating communities that provide equitable opportunities to be healthy.
New Features
The Health Disparity Cost Analysis – a demonstration of the economic burden health inequities bring to the Commonwealth.
The Health opportunity Index (HOI) – a key tool for identifying local and statewide policy priorities that affect SDOH in order to promote health equity in Virginia.
What is included in the Report?
Virginia Demographics
Impact of Health Disparities/Inequities
Cost of Health disparities/?Inequities to the Commonwealth
– Five leading health risks; stroke, heart disease, cancer, low birth weight and injuries
– Total health disparities in Virginia amounted 10% of the total health care costs
Health Opportunity Index (HOI)
– Examples on how to apply/use the HOI
Recommendations and conclusion
Report Key Recommendations
The report references the National Office of Minority Health’s National Partnership for Action to Eliminate Health Disparities. The report also provides 12 recommendation using the HOI and empirical research findings on health equity and SDOH. A few of those recommendations are:
Raising awareness of SDOH
Engaging communities using community-based participatory approaches (CBPA)
Advocating for access to health opportunities for all,
Improving education attainment
Addressing and improving the built environment for all residents of the Commonwealth
Striving for racial, economic, and gender equality, and
Addressing policies that have an impact on social, environmental and economic factors that affect health equity
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2012 Virginia Health Equity Report
(Automated Version)
or Download a Standard .PDF copy here
In an effort to save money, reduce administrative costs and protect the environment,
we are only printing a limited number of hard copies of the report .
View an automated version of the Virginia Health Equity Report 2012 Appendices.