Health Equity in Practice

Health Equity in Practice

Structural racism is a determinant of violence; racial justice is a determinant of safety.

In 2021, in collaboration with the Division of Violence Prevention, Prevention Institute researched the ways that communities can achieve safety addressing structural racism. Based on that work and input from leaders and practitioners across the country, we developed this set of modules to assist violence prevention partners integrate health equity and racial justice into their practices, programming, and policy work.

The modules contain specific action steps that CDC program recipients, staff, and other partners can use to operationalize racial justice principles within their strategic approaches to preventing violence and promoting safe, thriving communities. Module 1 reviews the racial justice principles while Modules 2 and 3 demonstrate how these principles are applied to two key strategies within the public health approach to addressing multiple forms of violence.

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The image features a Venn diagram with five circles, each detailing a concept related to social equity and justice, such as understanding structural racism, repairing harm, promoting equity, building community power, and embedding accountability. Icons like hands shaking, a broken chain, gear, and roots illustrate these ideas. The diagram underscores the interconnectedness of these themes in fostering community equity and justice, presented in soft blue shades against a light backdrop.
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Module 1: Putting Principles to Practice

The image features a Venn diagram with five circles, each detailing a concept related to social equity and justice, such as understanding structural racism, repairing harm, promoting equity, building community power, and embedding accountability. Icons like hands shaking, a broken chain, gear, and roots illustrate these ideas. The diagram underscores the interconnectedness of these themes in fostering community equity and justice, presented in soft blue shades against a light backdrop.

Welcome to Module 1: Putting Principles to Practice: Achieving Safety by Advancing Racial Justice.

This Module provides foundational content for integrating racial justice principles into violence prevention efforts. The module describes

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The image features silhouettes of young individuals above scenes of community engagement, including gardening, dining, and learning, with one figure displaying a peace sign. The illustration highlights the themes of community involvement and racial justice, using bold colors to emphasize the importance of individual roles within a community.
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Module 3: Advancing Policy, Systems Change & Resources

The image is a colorful illustration that juxtaposes silhouetted profiles of individuals against a backdrop of community and activism scenes. The silhouettes appear to be of young African American individuals, with discernible features like hair and facial expressions. Below these profiles are vibrant vignettes of community life, including people gardening, eating together, and engaging in educational activities. One person is depicted holding a peace sign, symbolizing non-violence or protest. The overall aesthetic combines elements of daily life with themes of social action, suggesting a focus on community development and racial justice. The use of bold colors and the silhouette style creates a strong visual narrative about the role individuals play within their communities.Image by Nye' Lyn Tho

Achieving racial justice and safety requires changes in policies, systems, and resources. Policy includes procedures, administrative actions, incentives, and organizational and voluntary practices at the local, state

Thank you to the following for contributing to these modules: 

  • Center for Law and Social Policy
  • RTI International Transformative Research Unit for Equity
  • Learning Series Panelists
    • Jacqueline Franco, East San Jose PEACE Partnership Co-Chair, Promotora, Somos Mayfair Board of Directors member
    • Annie Wu, Program Manager I, Santa Clara County Public Health Department
    • Tiffany Iheanacho, Director, Buncombe County Justice Services
    • Aris Brown, Narrative Change and Media Manager, Houston in Action; Houston Poet Laureate
    • Kay Coghill, Digital Director, me too. International
    • Greg Jackson, former Executive Director, Community Justice Action Fund
    • Anthony Dickey, Youth Mentor, Youth Advocate Programs Inc.; Changemaker, A New Deal for Youth

This project is supported by Cooperative Agreement No. NU38OT000305 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services or the CDC.

The links provided in these modules may take you to external sites that include direct and/or grassroots lobbying calls to action. All links are provided for informational purposes only; they are not an endorsement of any specific lobbying or other actions. It is strongly advised that you seek proper guidance to determine your ability to engage in any lobbying activities. For more information on anti-lobbying restrictions for CDC grantees, please click here

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