Community engagement and health equity
Family physicians can promote equity by addressing social needs in their communities.
Advocate for health equity
Community engagement and advocacy for public health policy are key to advancing health equity at the societal level. In your role as a family physician, you can help raise awareness about health equity and influence policy development.
Participate in advocacy efforts in your community using these resources.
Health equity issue briefs and anti-racism guides
Issue brief
Food insecurity
The Food Insecurity Issue Brief helps you and your care team address health disparities related to food insecurity among your patients and communities. The brief highlights how access to affordable, nutritious food affects health, education and development and offers approaches you can use in your practice and advocacy work.
Read the brief
Read the brief
Issue brief
Gender pay gap in medicine
The Gender Pay Gap in Medicine Issue Brief helps you advocate for gender equity in compensation policies within your health system and with legislators. The brief reflects the AAFP’s recognition that poverty, structural racism and discrimination are primary drivers of health inequities.
Read the brief
Read the brief
Issue brief
Health in all policies
The Health in All Policies Issue Brief supports you in incorporating health considerations into local and state policy decisions using Health in All Policies strategies. The brief explains how Health in All Policies integrates health into policies that shape where people live, learn, work and age and how you can engage as a physician advocate in these efforts.
Read the brief
Read the brief
Issue brief
Health literacy
The Health Literacy Issue Brief helps you and your care team address health disparities related to health literacy among your patients and communities. The brief outlines approaches you can use to build a practice culture that values health equity, cultural proficiency and clear, patient-centered communication.
Read the brief
Read the brief
Issue brief
Housing instability
The Housing Instability Issue Brief helps you address health disparities related to housing instability among your patients and communities. The brief describes ways you can inform housing and zoning policy discussions by highlighting the health outcomes experienced by patients most affected by housing insecurity.
Read the brief
Read the brief
Issue brief
Socioeconomic status
The Socioeconomic Status Issue Brief helps you understand how socioeconomic status reinforces and exacerbates health disparities among the patients and communities you serve. The brief reflects the AAFP’s recognition that poverty, structural racism and discrimination are primary drivers of health inequities.
Read the brief
Read the brief
Issue brief
Transportation
The Transportation Issue Brief helps you and your care team address health disparities related to transportation access among your patients and communities. The brief explores how transportation barriers and the built environment can affect patients’ ability to obtain care and maintain health.
Read the brief
Read the brief
Action guides
Anti-racism and social determinants of health
The Anti-racist Family Physician Action Guides provide you with tools and strategies to address social determinants of health and counter long-standing misconceptions about race and medicine. The guides are designed to support you in leading conversations, influencing systems and engaging your broader care team.
Read the guides
Read the guides