About Office of Health Equity

The Office of Health Equity was formally integrated into the Pennsylvania Department of Health through an executive order signed in May 2007. Located within the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Deputate.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "health is a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Health is a fundamental human right and an essential component of economic development, vital to a nation's economic growth and internal stability." As the sixth largest state in America, Pennsylvania is integral to the success of the nation. There is an economic and moral imperative to do all we can to improve the lives of all Commonwealth residents, whether they live in poor rural or urban communities.

The role of the Office of Health Equity is to:

• Provide leadership to increase public awareness of health disparities in Pennsylvania.
• Advocate for the development of programs to address health disparities.
• Work with policy makers, insurers, health care providers and communities to implement policies and programs that result in a measurable and sustained improvement in health status of underserved and disparate populations.
• Collaborate with state agencies, academic institutions, community based organizations, health partners, providers and others in the public and private sectors to eliminate health disparities in Pennsylvania.