Health Equity Committee

Health Equity Committee Minutes Monday, September 11, 2023 Meeting called to order at 2:32 pm Attendance: Patrick McCormack, Kate Milde, Brigid Marks, Shiela Hayes, Dr. Ramindra (Micky) Walia, Dr. Alexander Mbewe, Melissa Meyers, Joseph Zuzel, Cathy Special, A quorum is present. A motion to approve the Minutes of July 10, 2023 meeting was made by Kate Milde and seconded by Dr. Walia. A roll call vote motion passed with 5 yes and 4 abstaining. Chair Zuzel – Discussion of moving the meeting to the 1st Monday of the month due to City Manager having a conflict. Chairman Zuzel will discuss with City Manager and report back to at the next meeting. The semi-annual report is due to the City Council by September 30, 2023 to include work done by the committee to date. Kate Milde – reported the amended resolution recommended “Redline” changes have been submitted and are awaiting action to be placed on a future city council agenda and action by the city council. 2023 – 2024 paid Recording Secretary for the HEC has been approved. A motion to appointment Melinda Wilson as the Recording Secretary for the Health Equity Committee was made by Kate Milde and seconded by Dr. Walia. A roll call vote and motion passed unaminously. The CT State Community College Three Rivers is willing to work with the HEC to assist with the data. Norwich Human Services will utilize funding from Norwich Works Program and CT Youth Employment Program. Discussion on committee members being aware of additional data and/or reports on health outcomes to please email to Chairman Zuzel or Shiela Hayes. Three proposed Mission Statements submitted and discussion - 1. The Health Equity Committee mission is to eliminate health inequities for all people in the City of Norwich – especially, those most harmed by racism, colonization and all other forms of current and historical systemic oppression, injustice, and discrimination. 2. To eliminate disparities in health outcomes of all people in the City of Norwich due to race, ethnicity, gender, age, geography and social economic status. 3. The Health Equity Committee will collaborate to assess and mitigate the detrimental effects of racism to public health and safety in the City of Norwich A motion to approve the Norwich Health Committee of the City of Norwich Mission Statement - “To eliminate disparities in health outcomes of all people in the City of Norwich due to all forms of current and historical systemic oppression, injustice, and discrimination” was made by Melissa Meyers and seconded by Kate Milde. Motion passed unanimously. Three proposed Vision Statements submitted and discussed - 1. All people in the City of Norwich will be afforded the right to achieve their full health potential and wellbeing. 2. The work of the Health Equity Committee impacts the overall health of the City of Norwich, by ensuring equitable healthcare access, delivery and outcomes for all of its residents.  3. Everyone in the City of Norwich has the opportunity to achieve their highest attainable level of health and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social, economical, demographic or geographical defined circumstances, physical condition or position. A motion to approve the Norwich Health Committee of the City of Norwich Vision Statement - “Everyone in the City of Norwich achieves their highest attainable level of health” was made by Dr. Walia and seconded by Melissa Meyers. Motion passed unanimously. Assignments of committee members to the 6 areas of focus: ● Health Equity Plan (3 & 4) Members: Cathy Special, _________________________ ● Data (aggregation and analysis) (5 & 6) Members: Patrick McCormack, Dr. Walia, _______________________ ● Direct Services (7 & 8) Members: Joseph Zuzel, Melissa Meyers, Dr. Walia ● Internal City processes (internal operations 9 & 10) Members: Brigid Marks, Kate Milde, Chief Patrick Daley ● Legislative advocacy (13 & 14) Members: Shiela Hayes, Patrick McCormack ● Goals and objectives (12) Members: ___________________________ Additional committee members will be assigned and committee members should contact each other to set up committee meetings. Discussion on potential future funding for additional work to support the work of the committee. Funding has to be project specific and funding would requested through city department head and City Manager. A motion to adjourn was made by Melissa Meyers and seconded by Kate Milde. Motion passed unanimously. Respectively Submitted Shiela Hayes Secretary Health Equity Committee