Health equity — the attainment of the highest possible level of health for all people — is central to Healthcare Ready’s mission, work, and values. The conditions, resources, and information required to create and maintain the highest possible level of health are not equitably accessible to all people and communities. Systemic barriers create and uphold patterns of advantages, where some individuals and communities are given certain advantages while others are excluded. In the US, low-income communities, communities of color, and other historically under-resourced groups are often excluded from accessing the resources we all need to be healthy. When these resources are insufficient or non-existent, entire communities and the very people who depend on them for survival will suffer.

Our goal is to eradicate the systemic barriers that prevent communities from becoming more resilient in the face of impending disasters. Because hazardous events like natural disasters are on the rise, it’s critical that we take steps to protect and enhance the health and well-being of all before the next crisis strikes. We bring this equity lens to our partnerships with the healthcare and emergency management sectors to help advance more equitable practices in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, as well to support more equitable health outcomes.

Learn more about our approach and the framework we use to guide our efforts.