Building equity from the ground up

Background: Academic-community partnerships are vital to addressing health disparities, particularly in rural and diverse communities. This case study highlights a partnership between the Liberal Area Coalition for Families (LACF) and the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) formed through the Communities Organizing to Promote Equity (COPE) initiative. Located in Seward County, Kansas-a region marked by cultural diversity, linguistic complexity, and high social vulnerability-this collaboration leveraged community strengths and academic resources to co-develop and implement equity-driven strategies. Methods: The partnership established a Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) composed of community members, stakeholders, and public health professionals, supported by a Regional Community Lead (RCL) and Community Health Workers (CHWs). The LHEAT addressed barriers to food access, COVID-19 testing and vaccination, and sustainable public health services through inclusive bilingual engagement models, culturally relevant services, and data-informed planning. Within two years, the LHEAT grew to over 50 members, launched 33 initiatives, and met nearly 90% of 647 identified client health needs. Discussion: Lessons learned emphasize the importance of beginning with local assets, adapting strategies to context, and building trust over time. The LACF-KUMC partnership showcases how community-led coalitions, supported by responsive academic institutions, can drive upstream systems change. This model underscores the need for flexible, sustained investment in local leadership and participatory evaluation to foster resilience, improve health outcomes, and promote equity across underrepresented communities

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• Health systems resilience in managing the Covid-19 pandemic

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• A Systematic Review of Barriers and Facilitators to Minority Research Participation Among African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders

  Sheba George, Nelida Duran et al.•American Journal of Public Health•2014

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• Community Organizations, Local Health Equity Action Teams, and a Learning Collaborative to Address Covid-19 Disparities in Urban and Rural Communities

  Edward F Ellerbeck, Vicki Collie‐Akers et al.•American Journal of Public Health•2024

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