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Institute on Disabilities

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Health Equity

We promote health equity for people with disabilities in Pennsylvania.

What is Health Equity?

“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.” (RWJF.org)

4 images of people reaching for fruit on trees as a comparison of inequality, equality, equity, and justice
Inequality, Equality, Equity, and Justice

Inequality

Inequality means not everyone can get the things they need.

Equality

Equality is giving the same help to everyone, even if they need different amounts.

Equity

Equity is giving help based on what each person needs, so everyone can get their needs met.

Justice

Justice is fixing the way things work so everyone can get what they need.

 

We define health as the continued practice of wellness rather than the absence of disease.   

We work with self-advocates and community partners to do research, provide training and technical assistance, and run programs and services that address the social drivers of health and wellness.

  • We use a strengths-based, holistic approach to health that reimagines systems of care.
  • We use an intersectional lens and center the lived experience of those most impacted by inequity.
  • We uplift Pennsylvania's strong community of advocates.
  • We support existing community assets and help ensure their accessibility.

Our Current Areas of Focus

Black woman and adult disabled son sit close together outdoors, smiling

Healthy Sexuality

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build relationships and explore their own sexuality and gender. We focus on increasing access to quality information and resources on building healthy relationships, consent and boundaries, sexuality and gender, and sexual health.

Healthy Sexuality

young Black woman holding a trowel works at raised garden bed with female elder

Food Justice

Everyone has a right to nutritious, culturally appropriate, and delicious food. The food we eat not only impacts our health, but it is also intimately related to our culture and histories. We focus on supporting grassroots efforts to create accessible and sustainable food systems for individual and community wellbeing.

Food Justice

caregiver adjusts clothing of older adult with Down Syndrome

Access to Care

Improving access to care for people with disabilities starts with making health information more accessible and making sure that care locations are accessible – and not just physically! Health care providers need the competencies to best support disabled people. We focus on increasing cultural competence and accessibility in healthcare through research and education.

Access to Care

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Covid and Public Health Emergencies

People with disabilities have been significantly impacted by Covid-19. We work to address the specific needs of our community during the pandemic and beyond by working to increase access to technology, reduce social isolation and loneliness, improve health messaging, and increase access to vaccines and testing.

Covid 19 and Health Emergencies

Student Contributors

Special thanks to the Temple University students who work with the Health Equity Team:

  • Aidan Campagnolio
  • Shawn Aleong

Interested in working with us?

We provide training and education, technical assistance and consultations, research, and other services. Email us to learn more at .

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