The Colorado Equity Compass launches a data model embedded with community stories that shows the impact of social factors on the health of Colorado residents.
In Colorado, people living only a few blocks away from each other may have drastically different health outcomes—as much as living 10 years longer. That is because social, economic, and physical factors shape a person’s wellbeing and opportunity to not only live long, but live a high-quality life. Safe streets, well-maintained public spaces, good schools, clean air, access to high-paying jobs, and healthy food options all play a part. Now, Coloradans can better understand the health impacts of these factors, often referred to as social determinants of health (SDOH).
The Colorado Equity Compass (CEC) has launched a statewide platform for changemakers and community residents to use stories, data, and tools to advocate for and improve the quality of life for Coloradans. Newly released, the CEC data model measures health outcomes down to the census tract level, specifically looking at a person’s life expectancy and self-reported health status.
The CEC Collaborative, made up of The Colorado Trust, Shift Research Lab, and Change Matrix, invites data divers and storytellers to join the virtual launch of the Colorado Equity Compass website and data model.
Virtual Launch: Friday, March 26, 2021 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PS4-CHosT42Cz0aOXGVlHg
“This website is democratizing health data; it is a tool that communities can use to identify beginning action steps to improve health outcomes for their regions,” said Dr. Rachele C. Espiritu, founding partner of Change Matrix and project lead for CEC.
Colorado Equity Compass Data Model
Findings from the model, created in partnership with Consume & Create and the Colorado Futures Center, show that in areas with systemic issues—such as a lack of affordable homes, poor walkability around neighborhoods and limited access to food—are associated with poorer health outcomes. Often these are also areas richer in racial and ethnic diversity.
The idea for CEC first took form with the help of four pilot communities that used the platform to advance their own health equity work. These communities included East Colfax Neighborhood (Denver), Larimer County, Southeast Colorado Springs, and Western Mountain Region (Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle Counties).
“The Colorado Equity Compass has provided Southeast Colorado Springs the tools and resources to help us develop and share data-driven stories about the disparities in health faced by those living in our community,” said Julie Ramirez, creator of the Daily Dose 719 and resident of Southeast Colorado Springs.
CEC offers resources and elevates community stories to be used by Colorado residents, policymakers, activists, researchers, journalists or anyone interested in better understanding a region’s health inequities to make positive change.
For more information and to view the data model, visit www.coequitycompass.org. For media inquiries, contact Annie VanDan at avandan@changematrix.org or 720-318-2357.
