Equity Priority Areas

Equity is at the core of all activities undertaken by the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD). Guided by our Strategic Plan and Community Health Assessment, we have identified three key equity priority areas to ensure that our efforts address community needs and create sustainable, impactful outcomes.

1. Institutionalize Commitment

We aim to institutionalize a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) through organizational plans, policies, and procedures.

Activities:

  • Comprehensive Assessment: Evaluate current NOHD policies and procedures to identify areas for improvement and integrate DEI principles. Develop a scoring mechanism to evaluate equity efforts.
  • Equity Action Plan: Design, implement, and maintain a plan outlining strategies and timelines to embed DEI into all organizational operations.
  • Accountability Mechanisms: Establish regular progress assessments and reporting systems to ensure adherence to the Equity Action Plan.

2. Build Workforce Capacity

We aim to strengthen our workforce's ability to prioritize equity and engage impacted communities in program planning and strategy implementation.

Activities:

  • Training & Development: Provide ongoing professional development to deepen understanding and commitment to DEI principles.
  • Community Engagement: Facilitate opportunities for staff to engage directly with impacted communities through participatory research, focus groups, and other methods.
  • Mentorship & Peer Learning: Launch programs that support staff in applying equity principles and sharing best practices.
  • Workforce Diversity Assessment: Regularly assess recruitment, retention, and promotion practices to ensure diverse representation and equitable opportunities.

3. Equitable Partnerships

We seek to enhance our capacity for equitable partnerships with community stakeholders to collaboratively address public health challenges.

Activities:

  • Outreach & Engagement: Build relationships with diverse community organizations, leaders, and residents.
  • Collaboration Mechanisms: Develop advisory boards, working groups, and forums for regular communication and dialogue. Create tools to help workgroups include equity measures in their initiatives.
  • Support for Community Organizations: Provide resources to help community organizations meaningfully participate in public health decision-making.
  • Partnership Evaluation: Assess the effectiveness of partnerships and their impact on health equity outcomes, making adjustments to optimize collaboration.

These priority areas are central to our mission to advance health equity and create a healthier New Orleans for all.