Health Equity at the National Civic League

The National Civic League focuses much of its work on equity, and health equity in particular. This work extends from our core mission:

The mission of the National Civic League is to advance civic engagement to create equitable, thriving communities.

Health Equity is embedded into League programs, including:

• All-America City Award
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-National Civic League Health Equity Award
• Webinar Series
• Promising Practices Database
• National Civic Review

All-America City Award

Our flagship program has focused on equity for the past three years. The theme of the 2018 award was Racial Equity and Inclusion. In 2019 we focused specifically on health equity. In 2020 we are focusing on health and well-being, with one of the major criteria being equity:

The 2020 All-America City Award

The 2020 All-America City theme is “Enhancing health and well-being through civic engagement.” The 2020 All-America City Award is focused on celebrating examples of civic engagement practices that advance health and well-being in local communities. We are looking for projects that demonstrate inclusive decision-making processes to enhance health and well-being for all, and particularly for populations currently experiencing poorer health outcomes.

The 2019 All-America City Award

The 2019 All-America City Awards and conference included a one-day conference featuring workshops on health equity. Conference workshops focused on the League’s concept of healthy communities. Access workshop descriptions and presentation slides. 

One of the 6 All-America City award criteria is Inclusiveness and Equity: Intentional involvement of diverse segments and perspectives (ethnic, racial, socio-economic, age, sexual orientation, gender expression, people with disabilities, and others) in community decision-making.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-National Civic League Health Equity Award

The National Civic League has a seven-year agreement with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to award an annual Health Equity Award. The RWJF-National Civic League Health Equity Award award recognizes and honors individuals that have successfully implemented a systems change approach within the past two years to improve health outcomes for those most impacted by health disparities

The National Civic League believes that to achieve health equity we must understand the challenges, aspirations, barriers and realities of the community. To share the example of innovative approaches to equity and shine a light on leaders across this country, the League has partnered with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Together with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Civic League is recognizing, celebrating and rewarding individuals who are making health equity a reality in their community. The League’s Health Equity Award recognizes individuals who are leveraging engagement to improve health outcomes for those most impacted by health disparities.

Webinar Series

Many of the webinars in the League’s Promising Practices webinar series have focused on health and health equity.

JANUARY 22, 2020

AAC Promising Practices Webinar: Community Collaborations to Address Mental Health

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This webinar will highlighted two community programs that are addressing mental health issues through collaborations and unique partnerships.

AUGUST 28, 2019

AAC Promising Practices Webinar: Improving Health and Fitness through Inclusive Community Challenges

Two 2019 All-America Cities spoke about local programs and health challenges aimed at addressing obesity, diabetes and general well-being.

MARCH 19, 2019

AAC Promising Practices Webinar: Community Collaborations to Improve Student Health

During this All-America Cities Promising Practices webinar, Susan Witkowski, CHCQM, CEO of Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County discussed the offerings of their school-based health center and Lisa Campbell, CEO of Create a Change in Las Vegas, NV discussed their Healthy School, Healthy Life Program.

JANUARY 10, 2019

AAC Promising Practices Webinar: Addressing Addiction on a Community-Wide Level

Two communities discussed their local intervention programs to address drug and/or alcohol abuse. Beaverton, OR spoke about their B-SOBR program and Hamilton County, OH gave an overview of their Hamilton County Heroin Coalition.

OCTOBER 16, 2017

Racial Equity and Healing

The Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) enterprise of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is a comprehensive, national and community-based process to plan for and bring about transformational and sustainable change in our society, and to address the historic and contemporary effects of racism.

JUNE 29, 2017

Health Equity and the Role of Civic Engagement

Understanding what matters when it comes to health equity and American communities.

Promising Practices Database

This database includes summaries of projects that leverage civic engagement from All-America Cities and other communities. The database includes 38 stories of community work on health equity:

• Be Well LivINgston- Livingston County, NY
• A Healthy Community within Everyone’s Reach- Edinburg, TX
• Food Access Initiative- Gothenburg, NE
• Step Up Your Health, Doral!- Doral, FL
• New Horizons High School- Pasco, WA
• It’s Time Texas, Community Health Challenge- Lancaster, TX
• Dubuque Eats Well- Dubuque, IA
• League 42- Wichita, KS
• Gothenburg YMCA- Gothenburg, NE
• Soil Born Farms: Feeding Body and Soul- Rancho Cordova, CA
• Health Care for All- Dubuque, IA
• Bee Branch Creek Watershed Restoration and Activation- Dubuque, IA
• Operation Fit- Battle Creek, MI
• Health through Tennis- Mission, TX
• Homeless Initiative- West Hollywood, CA
• Community Ambassador Program for Seniors (CAPS)- Fremont, CA
• Health and Equity in All Policies- Tacoma, WA
• Little Free Food Pantries- Springdale, AR
• Supporting Action for Mental Health- Longmont, CO
• Ballot Box Project- Cleveland, OH
• Beaverton Sobriety Opportunity for Beginning Recovery (B-SOBR)- Beaverton, OR
• Addressing Health Equity in a Rural County- Kershaw County, SC
• The Harbor- Las Vegas, NV
• Healing South Stockton- Stockton, CA
• San Antonio Teen Pregnancy Collaborative – San Antonio, TX
• Culturally Accessible and Relevant Healthcare for Minorities – Boston, MA
• Putting Health in the General Plan – San Pablo, CA
• River Region Obesity Task Force – Montgomery, AL
• Firehouse Clinic – Hayward, CA
• Diabetes Prevention – Marshalltown, IA
• Mountair Park Community Farm – Lakewood, CO
• Ongoing Engagement Reshaping Affordable Housing – Providence, RI
• Shaping Inclusive Healthcare Delivery – Los Angeles, CA
• Engaging Students to Design a School Food Truck – Marana, AZ
• Improving Community Health through Engagement – Worchester, MA
• Ciclovia Salinas – Salinas, CA
• Building Trust and Health Among African Americans – Denver, CO
• Building Trust and Addressing Heart Health – San Diego, CA

National Civic Review

Many of the articles featured in the League’s quarterly journal, National Civic Review, have focused on health and health equity.

• Opioid Addiction: Finding Your Leadership Voice to Change the Narrative
• Creating Healthy Communities: The 2019 All-America Cities
• Building Civic Capital for Health and Well-Being: Seven Ingredients for Your Community
• Empowering Chronic Disease Patients to Become Advocates
• Turning to One Another to Reverse the Diseases and Deaths of Despair
• CityHealth: Advancing Strong Policy to Help Cities Thrive
• Promoting Health Equity in America’s Communities
• A Vital Condition to Well-Being: Reliable Transportation
• Reclaiming Well-Being in America: the vital conditions that make people and places healthier and more resilient
• A Vital Condition to Well-Being: Lifelong Learning: Exploring how a quality education ensures healthy living
• A Vital Condition to Well-Being: Humane Housing: Exploring how stable housing promotes better health
• Meaningful Work and Wealth: Exploring how financial security and job fulfillment lead to healthier lives
• A Vital Condition for Well-Being: Basic Needs for Health and Safety