Healthy Meck is a community coalition dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of all residents in Mecklenburg County. Equity is a cornerstone of our collective work. As we work to ensure that everyone in Mecklenburg County has an equal opportunity to lead a long, healthy life, our commitment to equity will guide all our efforts.
We recognize that health is influenced by a range of social, economic, and environmental factors, and that health disparities exist among different populations and communities within the county. Members of historically marginalized groups have encountered systemic barriers that have fostered distrust and lack of access to information and other resources that promote health and well-being. To elevate our collective well-being, we are committed to identifying and changing systems and practices that perpetuate health inequities.
At Healthy Meck, we envision thriving communities within Mecklenburg County where every individual has access to information, resources and opportunities that support their optimal health and well-being. To meet our mission of promoting healthy living for better health outcomes for all residents of Mecklenburg County, Healthy Meck commits to advancing equity in the following ways:
- Fostering inclusiveness: Actively seeking participation from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups, we affirm the strength that diversity brings to our efforts. By including the diverse and unique perspectives of many participants, we strive to shape programs and activities that are fair, accessible, respectful, and culturally relevant.
- Building relationships: Investing in relationships and collaborations with partners who share our commitment to health equity, we strengthen trust, unity, and mutual growth. By aligning and amplifying efforts, we seek to use resources wisely and increase our capacity to impact our areas of focus.
- Strengthening capacity: Recognizing that current systems have contributed to existing disparities, we identify opportunities to address their root causes. By facilitating or providing training through an equity lens, we intend to strengthen our ability to address systemic barriers and advocate for more equitable resources and opportunities.
- Enhancing accountability: Communicating transparently and strategically about the results of our efforts, we enable informed decision-making by our partners and the community at large. By sharing the impact of our work, we facilitate awareness and engagement on topics that advance individual and public well-being.
We acknowledge that achieving health equity is a long-term effort that requires persistence, dedication, flexibility, innovation, and collaboration. We commit to continuously educating ourselves and our communities about equity concepts, principles, and practices, and to improving our approaches as we learn. Through our ongoing efforts, we hope to create a healthier, fairer, and more inclusive community for all residents of Mecklenburg County.
Approved by coalition: 4/11/2025