The Macomb Health Equity Council

The Macomb Health Equity Council coordinates activities that promote health equity throughout Macomb County, particularly for racial and ethnic communities for whom health disparities have been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Macomb Health Equity Council is delighted to share the 2023 Community Impact Report. Download the report to read MHEC’s accomplishments.

Macomb Health Equity Impact Report

Background

The Macomb Health Equity Council (MHEC) was established in August 2022 as part of a statewide initiative, funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Office of Equity and Minority Health (OEMH) in partnership with the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), designed to help combat health disparities in underserved and rural areas across the state.

One of 11 regional health advisory councils, the MHEC plans and coordinates activities that promote health equity in racial and ethnic communities, particularly those for whom health disparities have been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic, address regional social determinants of health needs, and improve access to quality health care. Judson Center serves as the backbone organization to support MHEC’s formation and implementation of its community-driven goals.

Goals

The goals of the Macomb Health Equity Council are:

A reduction in COVID-19 disparities in impacted communities specifically among Michigan’s five racial and ethnic populations:
- - African Americans.
  - American Indians/Alaska Natives.
  - Arab and Chaldean Americans.
  - Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
  - Hispanics/Latinos.
Planned reduction of community identified priority risk factors.
Development and implementation of practices and policies to promote equity and reduce health disparities.
Equitable distribution and efficient use of resources to support affected communities including organizations and community leaders – both existing and emerging.
Community-driven decision-making and priority setting.

MEMBERSHIP

The MHEC membership consists of 6 community members and 12 organizational members, including:

- - ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services)
  - CARE of Southeastern Michigan
  - Care Plus, Inc.
  - Chaldean Community Foundation
  - CO.OLOGY
  - Great Start Maternal Infant Health Program
  - Macomb Immigrant Service Center
  - Medical Network One Health Solutions
  - Midwest Buddhist Meditation Center
  - Salvation Army Harbor Light Division
  - The Interfaith Center for Racial Justice
  - Turning Point, Inc.