Skip to Main Content

Health Equity

EHS Commitment to Health Equity

Episcopal Health Services (EHS) is dedicated to health equity and is actively working to reduce and eliminate disparities in health and its determinants. These determinants, also known as Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs), include education, access to care, social support, and geographic location. In line with NPSG 16.01.01 standards, an increased focus on improving health equity is a quality and safety priority. Addressing the root causes of health inequity can lead to effective preventative care, early and accurate diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

EHS is collaborating to promote equity in healthcare for economically and socially marginalized populations. This is achieved through advancing scientific knowledge using national benchmarks and best practices, promoting sustainable changes in practice and policies, and working closely with community-based organizations such as faith-based organizations, government agencies (including Public Health Departments), businesses, and educational institutions. This collective approach ensures that the diverse needs of our patients and communities are met and upheld to the highest possible standard of health for all people. The EHS health equity strategy will incorporate elements such as:

  • Cultural competency training
  • Data collection and stratification
  • Dimensions of promotion for patient and community well-being
  • Disparity reduction practices
  • Prevention and awareness
  • Financial and insurance assistance programs
  • Diversity and inclusion in leadership, governance and council oversight
  • Strengthening community partnerships

Community Health Needs Assessment

EHS conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years. This report fulfills the requirements of the new Federal statute established within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) required for non‐profit hospitals. The CHNA is developed based on several sources of local, state and national data, with input from community members and public health experts. Data pointed to underlying behaviors and risk factors that lead to chronic disease and mental health as needed areas of improvement.

CHNA Priorities

Identify health disparities in the intended service areas to develop goals to address the community’s needs.

Develop initiatives to address the five identified areas of priority resulting from the needs assessment:

  • Childhood obesity
  • Obesity, hypertension, diabetes
  • Premature death
  • Cancer
  • Behavioral Health  

To learn more about the health equity initiatives at EHS, please visit our Community Health Programs page.

We Ask Because We Care

At Episcopal Health Services, we want to provide you with the highest level of care. To do this, we need to gather information about all the people who get care here.

Information such as your race, preferred language to discuss healthcare, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity help us understand your unique health needs and enable us to create a care plan specific to you. This information also helps us better understand the needs of our communities seeking healthcare so we can offer services and programs that are helpful to everyone.

By sharing your information, you can help us:

  • Provide high-quality patient and family-centered care.
  • Make sure you and everyone get the best healthcare regardless of race, preferred language, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
  • Identify the needs and services of the communities we serve.
  • Support building a trusting patient-provider relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I be asked to share this information?

Patients who are 18 years or older will be able to share/update their information in several ways. When you check in for your appointment, you may be asked to confirm or update your race, ethnicity and preferred language to discuss healthcare. You can update your information with your provider during your appointment. The data will then be updated in your medical chart.

Do I have to answer the questions?

You don’t have to answer these questions if you don’t want to, but we strongly encourage you to do so. This information will help Episcopal Health Services provide each patient with the highest-quality care.

What does “preferred language to discuss healthcare” mean?

Some people’s primary language is not English. We need to know what language you feel most comfortable discussing medical and healthcare-related topics in. We will provide professional interpreters at no additional cost so that patients and healthcare providers can communicate easily.

What does healthcare disparity (inequality) mean?

Disparity is a difference between groups in how they access, experience, and receive healthcare. Social, economic, environmental, and other factors influence healthcare disparities.