Who We Are
The Health Equity Collective (“Collective”) is a systems coalition dedicated to improving care coordination for non-medical drivers of health in the Greater Houston region. The Collective has over 1500 members representing 325 health systems, payers, social service organizations, and academic institutions.
The coalition uses a collective impact approach whereby organizations come together to develop a shared agenda and activities to strengthen regional infrastructure and capacity for non-medical drivers of health and health outcomes.
The Center for Health Equity serves as the backbone organization, anchoring this collective impact effort.
Networking & Learning Sessions
We host monthly themed networking sessions as well as regular learning opportunities and workshops to promote a shared learning environment, incorporating perspectives from local, state, and national experts. Check out the events calendar for upcoming seminars, sessions, events and more.
To view past recorded sessions, visit our YouTube channel.
Quarterly Meetings
Join us for in-person or virtual quarterly meetings to find out about the Collective’s progress.
Interested in getting involved?
Please e-mail us to join the roster and receive calendar invites.
Driving Better Health Together: the Health Equity Collective workgroup members create a shared agenda and collaborate on activities to improve health and health equity for all across the Greater Houston region.
-
Communications Workgroup
Communications Workgroup
The Communications Workgroup raises awareness around the Collective’s activities and enhances its visibility. It accomplishes this goal through frequent social media posts, collaborating with other community organizations to plan virtual and in-person events, and updating and orienting members. The Workgroup provides guidance and brand guidelines to assist other workgroups in promoting their work and progress.
-
Community Voice Workgroup
Community Voice Workgroup
The Community Voice Workgroup is dedicated to strategizing community engagement to inform the Collective’s development and members practices. They achieve this goal by gleaning from different approaches and experts. The workgroup aims to engage in intentional conversations and share best practices for including the community in the health programs and interventions. Recently, the Workgroup drafted a Toolkit outlining how organizations can incorporate the community into their organizational practice. Learnings from this workgroup are informing the Collective’s approach with the Care Coordination Community Advisory Group launched in March 2025.
-
Food Security Workgroup
Food Security Workgroup
The Food Security Workgroup is committed to enhancing food security in the Greater Houston Region through various initiatives. These efforts include increasing Food Is Medicine programming, understanding the impact of stigma on food access services, and boosting organizational capacity to screen and address food insecurity. They have launched subgroups focused on stigma and food insecurity screening, a learning series, and the Food is Medicine Program Index. These subgroups aim to collect and disseminate best practices, equip participants with the necessary knowledge and resources, and systematically capture different Food is Medicine programs in the region.
A coalition-driven examination of organization capacity to address food insecurity in Greater Houston: a qualitative research study
-
Mental Health & Substance Use Workgroup
Mental Health & Substance Use Workgroup
The Mental Health & Substance Use Workgroup is focused on reducing stigma and raising awareness through various initiatives, including social media campaigns and resources. Recently, they hosted learning sessions centered around topics such as suicide awareness, mental health among Black Americans, and workplace mental health. The workgroup aims to continue and expand these efforts by developing a toolkit for member organizations seeking to improve access to care by reducing stigma of mental health and substance use conditions.
-
Policy Workgroup
Policy Workgroup
The Policy Workgroup is dedicated to fostering collaboration and strategic policy prioritization to address NMDOH, primarily at the state level. The workgroup has facilitated discussions on bill implementation and ensured members are informed about local and state advocacy opportunities. Their policy priorities include food security, maternal health, mental health, community health workers and doulas, and healthcare coverage and access. They monitor and identify legislative recommendations, budget priorities and bills for collective strategy and action.
Strengthening the Community Health Workers Ecosystem
In partnership with the City of Houston Health Department, we’ve gathered stakeholders across fields to advance CHWs’ priorities, inform the implementation of legislation, increase training opportunities, and dissipate findings.
Implementing a Closed Loop Referral Network
The Closed Loop Referral Network creates a bi-directional flow between healthcare and social service data systems to improve care coordination.
HEC Resource Hub
In collaboration with the Center for Health Equity, the following resources have been developed or collected to support the building of a comprehensive HEC Network.
#DrivingBetterHealthTogether
The Health Equity Collective welcomes interested individuals and organizations to join as general members, participating in quarterly meetings, networking sessions, community walks, and other events. Collective action happens through collaborations. We are always looking for new leaders to roll up their sleeves and commit time and resources towards impactful collaborations to improve the health of our community.
Please take a few minutes to send us a message telling us a little about you, the focus of your work, and how you wish to engage the Collective.
Contact us at [email protected]