About
SO Health-E was founded in 2014 as the Southern Oregon Regional Health Equity Coalition, one of several regional equity coalitions around the state supported by the Oregon Health Authority's Office of Equity and Inclusion. Our region includes Jackson and Josephine Counties. We prioritize health disparities for underrepresented populations including people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, people living with disabilities, and low-income community members.
Our mission is to seek systems change by creating community partnerships and together promoting health equity that centers the voices of impacted community members.
Steering Committee
Our work is guided by the SO Health-E Steering Committee. Made up of community members as well as cross-sector agency partners from Education, Health, and Law Enforcement, this leadership committee is required to be at least 51% people of color. Meet the members:
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Quinn Arrington | Steering Committee Chair
AllCare Health Coordinated Care Organization (CCO)
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Stick Crosby | Policy Committee Co-Chair
AllCare Health Coordinated Care Organization (CCO)
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Brenda Aguilera | Community Engagement Committee
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Work Groups
The work of SO Health-E is done through cross-sector work groups made up of community members and cross-sector partners in education, healthcare, and law enforcement:
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Works to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion in institutions and community organizations (health, education, social service, law enforcement, and government).
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Community Engagement
Provides leadership training opportunities for community members and engages communities and individuals working towards health equity. Helps inform steering committees by providing community voice and input to guide strategic priorities.
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Housing and Transit Coalition
Advocating for healthier housing and transit strategies to promote health equity for people of color, low income folks, LGBTQ+ community members, and those living with a disability so that everyone can live a healthy and fulfilling life.
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Reproductive and Sexual Health Equity - on hold (Covid19)
Seeks to reduce and eliminate barriers to achieving optimal sexual health for everyone in our community by advancing cultural competency in healthcare and education related to reproductive and sexual health and by increasing advocacy for evidence-based, comprehensive sexuality education that is medically accurate and culturally appropriate.
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LGBTQ+ Equity
Our newest workgroup focused on reducing health disparities impacting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer+ (LGBTQ+) communities in Jackson and Josephine Counties. This work group planned and implemented the Southern Oregon 2019 LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Summit and is now hosting a 2020 Lecture Series.
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Policy
Uses an equity analysis to guide the coalition's policy, systems, and environmental change work and makes recommendations to the steering committee.