The Macomb Health Equity Council

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

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 communities of color, 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 ethnic minority 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.

Within the context of these larger goals, the MHEC is prioritizing work aimed at enhancing the equitable distribution and efficient use of resources and community-driven decision-making. Specifically, MHEC will distribute mini-grants for projects that align with MHEC’s goals and can be accomplished by April 30, 2023.

MEMBERSHIP

The MHEC membership consists of 7 community members and 9 organizational members, including:

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

SURVEY

In order to improve health services to racial and ethnic minority communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, the MHEC is conducting a health assessment survey throughout Macomb County. Please take this 2-minute survey to help us better understand and serve the health needs of all residents of Macomb County.

Macomb Health Equity Council Survey (English): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/macombhealthequity