At CPEHN, we’re always working to promote health equity on a number of fronts. Earlier this year, we joined with the DentaQuest Foundation in a nationwide effort to improve oral health equity for California’s low-income communities and communities of color. Part of the foundation’s Oral Health 2020 initiative, we are partnering with several other grantees in the state, including Latino Coalition for a Health California (LCHC), Asian Americans Advancing Justice – LA, SCOPE LA, Central Valley Health Policy Institute, and Vision y Compromiso, to build a grassroots movement for oral health.
Earlier today, DentaQuest Foundation hosted a Twitter storm with the Children’s Dental Health Project and Northeastern University’s Innovations in Oral Health to promote health equity and raise awareness of oral health disparities across the country. The discussion, using the hashtag #iamhealthequity, resulted in a lot of great information and resources for improving oral health in underserved communities. CPEHN’s founding ethnic partner and partner in the DentaQuest project, LCHC, also participated in the Twitter action today. Here are some highlights, but be sure to check out the full discussion on Twitter here:
In CA, ~31,520 licensed dentists, but only ~450 in community clinics, generally in underserved areas #iamhealthequity http://t.co/ouogaFFjuX
— CPEHN (@CPEHN) July 16, 2015
Patient-centered, culturally competent communication between provider and pt can reduce disparities http://t.co/09KptPSMun #iamhealthequity
— We've rebranded! (@OralHealth2020) July 16, 2015
Kids facing food insecurity also face higher likelihood of early childhood caries: Via @ILikeMyTeeth http://t.co/66D42mUjC7 #iamhealthequity
— CDHP (@Teeth_Matter) July 16, 2015
An easy way to understand and explain health equity from @HealthEquitySF http://t.co/7tzpJda2nG #iamhealthequity
— Oral Health (@NEUOralHealth) July 16, 2015
31% of U.S. Parents Say Kids Missed School Due to Dental Problems. http://t.co/NPP8bzYZ3j #iamhealthequity #oralhealth #healthequity
— @AmerToothFairy (@AmerToothfairy) July 16, 2015
Great twitter chat on #iamhealthequity, @LCHC_CA – Also worth noting that unhealthy teeth reduce #economicopportunity http://t.co/6Ngs1kKzok
— Western Center on Law & Poverty (@Western_Center) July 16, 2015
Affordable Dental care remains out of reach for many Americans http://t.co/qjavnuB9W0 #iamhealthequity
— Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (@LCHC_CA) July 16, 2015
90% of LAUSD's, mostly minority, students needed access to dental care within one month. We need health equity. #iamhealthequity
— The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health (@thelatrust) July 16, 2015
We are combining services and grassroots advocacy together to ensure that every individual can say #iamhealthequity pic.twitter.com/vvqkQCWSfh
— Catalyst Miami (@CatalystMiami) July 16, 2015