Health
DEFINITION/DESCRIPTION
The health of Baltimore residents is inextricably linked to the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, play and age. To ensure sustainable, healthy, thriving communities, we must continue to lay the foundation for a healthier future. The Healthy Baltimore 2020 Blueprint, commits to addressing racial and ethnic health disparities. Our approach to sustainability in health includes data-driven, community-informed, upstream approaches that impact four key public health areas: Behavioral Health. Violence Prevention. Chronic Disease. Life Course and Core Services
CURRENT STATUS
Over the next 10 years, Baltimore plans to reduce racial health disparities in overdose deaths, youth homicides, obesity, cardiovascular disease and infant mortality between black and white Baltimoreans. The B’more for Healthy Babies program has resulted in a 50% reduction in infant mortality and a narrowing in the black-white gap. Over 20,000 people were trained to administer naloxone and over 15,000 naloxone kits were distributed resulting in 642 overdose reversals in 2016. Through Safe Streets, nearly 700 conflicts were mediated, most likely, or very likely, to result in a shooting or homicide. 10 “healthy stores” have been designated through the Baltimarket program. A trauma initiative was recently launched. Often times, unresolved traumas impede health, fuel behavioral health issues and serve to create daily challenges for vulnerable communities.
EQUITY INDICATORS
An equity lens examines all programs, initiatives and policies and assesses inequities on racial, gender, socioeconomic and geographic lines and the systems, institutions and policies that may perpetuate these inequities. The Health Department will assess health equity using these outcomes: Infant Mortality Rate
- Mortality and morbidity rates - Homicide incidences - New HIV cases - Life expectancy. A focus on the SDH will help BCHD tackle the root causes of health the health inequities through the strategies listed below.
STRATEGIES
1. Increase the Department’s sustainable programing dedicated to addressing the social determinants of health that may lead to health inequities:
Action 1: Reduce the black-white infant mortality rate disparity
Action 2: Reduce the disparity between percent of black and white seniors/children living in a food desert
Action 3: Reduce the disparity between percent of black and white youth/adults/pregnant women who smoke cigarettes
Action 4: Reduce the disparity in rate of drug, alcohol, and mental health ED visits by ZIP code
Action 5: Reduce the disparity in black and white children with unmet medical needs
Action 6: Reduce the disparity between percent of black and white residents who are obese
2. Advance a more comprehensive behavioral health system that can rapidly meet residents’ needs
Action 1: Establish the first-ever stabilization center for substance misuse disorders in Baltimore City
Action 2: Create a trauma-informed health care and behavioral health environmental through trainings
Action 3: Expand behavioral health treatment options in the greater Baltimore area
Action 4: Support the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) initiative designed to divert low-level drug offenders to community services – including case management – to avoid contact with the criminal justice system.
3. Promote safe communities by providing at-risk youth the social support and safety net necessary to succeed.
Action 1: Decrease total number of youth-involved violent acts
Action 2: Promote a healthy environment for vulnerable youth
Action 3: Advance the Safe Streets program – designed to treat violence as a public health issue – to high risk areas
Action 4: Promote a city-wide youth rehabilitation initiative for youth who have been institutionalized
METRICS FOR SUCCESS
Strategy 1: Demonstrate a reduction in health disparities based on key health indicators by 50% by 2026
Strategy 2: Increase the number of people receiving treatment for mental and behavioral health services by 10% in 5 years
Strategy 3: Decrease the number of youth-involved violent acts that occur in schools and communities with high incidences of violence crimes
Qualitative Metric: Conduct routine community-conversations to discuss health and social issues plaguing communities and potential community-led solutions.