Equality Health is a Phoenix-based whole-health delivery system focused on transforming value-based care delivery with population-specific programs that improve access, quality and member trust. Through an integrated technology and services platform, culturally competent provider network and personalized care model, Equality Health helps managed care plans and healthcare providers improve outcomes for diverse populations while simultaneously making the transition to risk-based accountability.
At its core, Equality Health exists to end health disparities and improve the health of individuals, families and communities. The company aims to break down barriers to good health and ensure all people receive high-quality care and social support that improves and enhances lives regardless of race, ethnicity, age or income.
When COVID-19 peaked in June, Equality Health stepped up efforts to address the testing disparities in underserved communities in Arizona. Under the leadership of the Equality Health Foundation, and in collaboration with community partners and state and local municipalities, Equality Health developed a scalable model to quickly operationalize local testing sites to administer tests and flu shots and distribute masks and bilingual health education information. The organization recently partnered with Arizona State University under a National Institute of Health Grant that uses their model to promote and measure COVID-19 testing and improve data collection to help better understand how the pandemic has exacerbated existing health inequities.
Equality Health is actively raising awareness about and finding solutions to the disparities in vaccine distribution through its One Community Initiative Against COVID-19. To rapidly reach communitywide immunity and get on the road to public health, economic recovery and a return to normalcy, Equality Health and its partners believe Arizona must ensure that all individuals, including essential workers who are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus, get prioritized access to the vaccine. The Equality Health Foundation, Herozona Foundation, diverse community stakeholders and public-private partners believe a community-based Point of Dispensing (POD) system that is fair and equitable is critical to achieving this vision.
“The vaccine is not reaching the very people who have been impacted the most by the virus. These are people of color, specifically the Hispanic and the African American communities that have been devastated by COVID-19,” says Tomás León of the Equality Health Foundation. “You have to meet people where they are. That’s what this initiative is about. It’s taking the vaccines into the community to the people who have been the hardest hit by this pandemic.”
The Equality Health Foundation is building on best practices that were learned from its comprehensive COVID-19 testing experience and applying it to a community-based COVID-19 Vaccine micro-POD model. The micro-POD model is being developed in collaboration with the Herozona Foundation, the Arizona Governor’s Office, the Arizona Department of Health Services, Maricopa County and local community partners.
To learn more about the One Community Initiative Against COVID-19 and to volunteer, visit equalityhealthfoundation.org/one. Equality Health was one of the first companies to take the Wellness AtoZ Healthy AZ Pledge, an initiative of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, to promote health and safety practices in the workplace to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Due to COVID-19 we want our community to know: Our aim is to ensure all individuals disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus get prioritized access to the vaccine, and we believe a community-based Point of Dispensing (POD) system that is fair and equitable is critical to achieving this vision.
Specific Services for COVID-19
- Nasal swab and saliva COVID-19 testing, now offering vaccines
- Follow-up medical consultation and guidance for individuals who test positive for COVID-19
- Cloth face masks and prevention education materials
Profile
Head of Organization: Hugh Lytle, Founder and CEO
Category of Organization: Health Services
Year Founded in the Valley: 2015
Headquartered: Phoenix, Arizona
Address: 521 S. 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: (602) 252-7900
Website: equalityhealth.com
