Health Equity

At the Santa Clara County Medical Association (SCCMA), we are committed to advancing health equity through providing our members with comprehensive resources that address the diverse and complex needs of the communities we serve. Achieving equitable health outcomes require a multi-faceted, collaborative approach. We have conducted qualitative interviews and completed a comprehensive literature review to identify key health priorities for our physician members. Below are some resources to support your practice and enhance patient outcomes in the context of health equity.

Culturally Relevant Care

To provide the best possible care to all patients, it is essential to understand and respect their unique cultural backgrounds. Culturally relevant care helps reduce health disparities by addressing language barriers, cultural beliefs, and customs that influence patient health behaviors. The following resources provide guidelines on how to implement culturally sensitive practices in your healthcare setting. This includes tools for staff training, communication strategies, and community engagement techniques.

Links:

• Bay Area Structural Competency Working Group
• The Health Trust
• AMA Health Equity Guide
• How can physicians promote health equity? - Wolters Kluwer

Access to Basic Needs

Access to basic needs like food, housing, and transportation are fundamental to improving health outcomes. In many underserved populations, lack of access to these resources is a significant barrier to health and well-being. The following links are available for physicians looking to connect their patients with basic needs resources within the county.

Links:

• Apply for CalFresh and Medi-Cal through BenefitsCal
• Connect patients to local food banks using this list from The Health Trust or this resource guide from the County of Santa Clara

Environmental Health

Environmental factors play a significant role in the health of individuals and communities. From pollution and unsafe housing conditions to access to green spaces, these factors can exacerbate health disparities. The following resources will help healthcare providers assess and address environmental health concerns in their practice, including tools for environmental health screenings and guidelines on advocating for policy changes.

Links:

• View work that SCCMA’s Environmental Health Committee has done to educate physicians and advocate for environmentally-conscious policy change.

Check out SCCMA's Environemntal Health Comittee's Policy Recommendation Environmental Health Policy Statement. 

Interested in joining the Environmental Health Committee? Contact Emily Coren at emily@sccma.org to discuss next steps.