PH Project: Equity Assessment

Conduct an equity assessment on a public health topic of your choice. Use APA style to reference your sources in a response that is no more than 10 double-spaced pages, uses a 12 point Times New Roman font, and 1 inch margins. Use the 10 subheadings for conducting an equity assessment below in your assignment.

What are equity impact assessments?[1]

An equity impact assessment is a systematic examination of how different racial and ethnic groups will likely be affected by a proposed action or decision. Equity impact assessments are used to minimize unanticipated adverse consequences in a variety of contexts, including the analysis of proposed policies, institutional practices, programs, plans and budgetary decisions. The equity impact assessment can be a vital tool for preventing institutional racism and for identifying new options to remedy long-standing inequities.

Why are they needed?

Equity impact assessments are used to reduce, eliminate and prevent racial discrimination and inequities. The persistence of deep racial disparities and divisions across society is evidence of institutional racism––the routine, often invisible and unintentional, production of inequitable social opportunities and outcomes. When racial equity is not consciously addressed, racial inequality is often unconsciously replicated.

When should it be conducted?

Equity impact assessments are best conducted during the decision-making process, prior to enacting new proposals. They are used to inform decisions, much like environmental impact statements, fiscal impact reports and workplace risk assessments.

Where are they in use?

The use of equity impact assessments in the U.S. is relatively new and still somewhat limited, but new interest and initiatives are on the rise. The United Kingdom has been using them with success for nearly a decade. See example equity assessments here: https://act.colorlines.com/acton/attachment/1069/f-006b/0/-/-/l-sf-cl-70140000000T6DHAA0-000f/l-sf-cl-70140000000T6DHAA0-000f:1de34/file.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Conducting an Equity Assessment

1. IDENTIFYING STAKEHOLDERS

Which groups may be most affected by and concerned with the issues related to this proposal?

2. ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS

Have stakeholders from different racial/ethnic groups— especially those most adversely affected—been informed, meaningfully involved and authentically represented in the development of this proposal? Who’s missing and how can they be engaged?

3. IDENTIFYING AND DOCUMENTING INEQUITIES

Which groups are currently most advantaged and most disadvantaged by the issues this proposal seeks to address? How are they affected differently? What quantitative and qualitative evidence of inequality exists? What evidence is missing or needed?

4. EXAMINING THE CAUSES

What factors may be producing and perpetuating racial inequities associated with this issue? How did the inequities arise? Are they expanding or narrowing? Does the proposal address root causes? If not, how could it?

5. CLARIFYING THE PURPOSE

What does the proposal seek to accomplish? Will it reduce disparities or discrimination?

6. CONSIDERING ADVERSE IMPACTS

What adverse impacts or unintended consequences could result from this policy? Which racial/ethnic groups could be negatively affected? How could adverse impacts be prevented or minimized?

7. ADVANCING EQUITABLE IMPACTS

What positive impacts on equality and inclusion, if any, could result from this proposal? Which groups could benefit? Are there further ways to maximize equitable opportunities and impacts?

8. EXAMINING ALTERNATIVES OR IMPROVEMENTS

Are there better ways to reduce disparities and advance equity? What provisions could be changed or added to ensure positive impacts on equity and inclusion?

9. ENSURING VIABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Is the proposal realistic, adequately funded, with mechanisms to ensure successful implementation and enforcement? Are there provisions to ensure ongoing data collection, public reporting, stakeholder participation and public accountability?

10. IDENTIFYING SUCCESS INDICATORS

What are the success indicators and progress benchmarks? How will impacts be documented and evaluated? How will the level, diversity and quality of ongoing stakeholder engagement be assessed?

[1] Based on Race Forward’s Racial Equity Impact Assessment (Links to an external site.)

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