A recent health assessment conducted in York City emerged with information that may be shocking to some, but for those that work in local healthcare, it was no surprise at all. Disparities exist between York City and Pennsylvania as a whole, while the health disparities between York City and York County are even more distressing. There is more than a $34,000 difference in the average incomes between York City and York County households, and the gaps do not end there. Poverty in York City overlaps with a lack of general health resources; specifically, accessing mental health services are much more difficult for city residents than for county residents.
Health equity is central to the well-being of a community, but how can we obtain health equity if our communities are so disparate? There are steps we can take but we have to take them together. Instead of remaining in isolated and “siloed” in our separate groups, we must engage in a broader conversation for local change in our community. That is where we need your help.
Family First Health, along with York Daily Record and WITF’s Transforming Health initiative, are hosting a community conversation concerning healthcare in York City, taking place on February 23 at 6:30pm at Martin Library in York, PA. This conversation is just the beginning of bringing health equity to the community and is your chance to hear about, and give input on, local change.
A panel of healthcare stakeholders will be discussing the current state of healthcare in York City, what other areas are doing to address health disparities, and programs needed to drive change for our community. We do nothing for you without you, and we want to work with the community, moving outward to illicit positive change. We encourage you to come out and join the first of many discussions around health disparities in York City. You can register online here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/york-city-community-health-conversation-tickets-31264480904?aff=ehomecard
For more information regarding the health market research study, please visit: https://www.familyfirsthealth.org/community-health