Regional Health Equity Coalitions (RHECs)

Regional Health Equity Coalitions (RHECs) are collaborative, community-led, cross-sector groups organized regionally to identify and address health equity issues. The RHEC model works by building on the inherent strengths of local communities so they can lead identifying sustainable, long-term, policy, system and environmental (PSE) solutions to increase health equity in Oregon. Coalitions prioritize communities of color as primary populations of focus.

The basis for the RHEC model is a theoretical framework that increased and authentic community engagement, strengthened organizational capacity, and social norm and environment change are the foundation for policy and system change leading to increased health equity.

This program is funded by the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) and Health Promotion Chronic Disease Prevention (HPCDP) in addition to other funding sources RHECs receive.

Coalitions

Linn Benton Health Equity Alliance - Linn & Benton Counties
Mid-Columbia Health Equity Advocates - Hood River & Wasco Counties
Oregon Health Equity Alliance - Multnomah, Clackamas & Washington Counties
Southern Oregon Health Equity Coalition (SO Health-E) - Jackson & Josephine Counties

Capacity Building Grantees

This funding supports capacity building to pilot the RHEC model with the health equity work these groups are doing, and offers an opportunity to complete foundational RHEC activities (i.e. coalition building, develop and solidify governance structures via charters, assess community needs, etc.).

Through their five-year plans, each RHEC has identified community priorities for improving health outcomes. There are opportunities to work with RHECs on community engagement, policy development, community health improvement planning, evaluation, and data collection and analysis.