I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about health equity lately. Not just because it’s a buzzy term that makes people nod their heads in meetings, but because it actually matters for creating healthcare systems that work for everyone.

And here’s what I’ve realized: you can’t achieve health equity without meaningful community engagement.

But not that superficial “let’s have a town hall and ignore everyone’s feedback” kind of engagement. I’m talking about the real deal – where communities have actual power and influence over the decisions that affect their health.

So let’s dive into what health equity community engagement really means, why it matters, and how to do it without being terrible at it.

Why Community Engagement Actually Matters for Health Equity

Look, health equity isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s about making sure that everyone – regardless of their race, income, zip code, or anything else – has a fair shot at being healthy.

But here’s the thing: the people experiencing health inequities know more about them than anyone else.

When COVID hit, we saw this play out in real time. Communities that had strong engagement mechanisms in place responded better than those trying to figure it out on the fly. The pandemic revealed massive gaps in how healthcare systems connect with the people they’re supposed to serve.

And that disconnect? It costs lives.

The Core Principles You Need to Know

So what makes community engagement actually work? I’ve dug through the research and talked to folks doing this work, and there are some key principles that separate the effective from the performative:

1. Inclusivity (but for real)

Not the “we invited one person from each demographic group” kind of inclusivity. I’m talking about engagement that reflects the full diversity of your community – including those who are typically left out of the conversation.

If your engagement process doesn’t include the voices of those most affected by health inequities, you’re doing it wrong. Period.

2. Building Actual Trust

Trust isn’t built through one meeting or survey. It’s built through consistent, respectful engagement over time.

And here’s where most organizations mess up: trust requires bi-directional influence. That means information and power flow both ways – community members influence your decisions just as much as you influence theirs.

3. Shared Power (This One’s Hard)

This is the principle most organizations struggle with. Community engagement for health equity means treating community members as co-equal partners in decision-making.

Not just advisors. Not just focus group participants. But actual decision-makers with real power.

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing has been working toward this model, and while they’re not perfect, they’re making serious progress by amplifying the voices of people directly impacted by Medicaid.

4. Show Me the Money

That means:

• Compensating community members for their time and expertise
• Funding community organizations to participate
• Creating sustainable funding streams, not just project-based ones

If you’re not willing to put money behind it, you’re not serious about health equity.

Practical Steps That Actually Work

Start Early, Stay Late

Community engagement isn’t something you do after you’ve already made all the important decisions. Involve community members from the very beginning of planning and keep them involved through implementation and evaluation.

Build Your Own Capacity First

Before you can effectively engage communities, your organization needs to build its own capacity for equity work. This means training staff, securing resources, and ensuring alignment across teams.

Otherwise, you’ll have well-intentioned staff trying to do community engagement without the support they need. That’s a recipe for burnout and failure.

Close the Loop (Most Organizations Skip This)

The number one complaint I hear from community members? “We gave our input and never heard back.”

Always tell participants how their input was used and what happened as a result. If you didn’t use their input, explain why. Transparency builds trust.

Hire From Within

Want to really understand a community? Hire people from that community.

This isn’t just about having “diverse” staff. It’s about having staff who share lived experiences with the people you serve. These team members can be bridges, translators, and trust-builders in ways that outsiders simply can’t.

Real Examples (Because Theory Is Boring)

Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services has been investing in member advisory councils and creating platforms for community voices. But they’ve also learned that structures alone aren’t enough – you need sustained leadership commitment and resources.

What I like about their approach is the honesty: they acknowledge they’re still figuring it out, but they’re committed to the journey.

Measuring Success (Without Missing the Point)

How do you know if your community engagement is working? Here are some metrics that actually matter:

• Strengthened partnerships: Are relationships deeper and more trusting than before?
• Increased community influence: Can community members point to specific decisions they’ve influenced?
• Improved health outcomes: Are you seeing actual improvements in health equity metrics?

And don’t forget to measure the process itself. Are your engagement efforts accessible and inclusive? Are you reaching the full diversity of your community?

Overcoming the Inevitable Challenges

Let’s be honest about the challenges:

• Limited funding: Community engagement takes resources
• Organizational resistance: Some people will see this as “extra work”
• Systemic barriers: The same inequities you’re trying to address will make engagement harder

The solution? Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

But also, don’t use these challenges as excuses. If your organization is truly committed to health equity, you’ll find ways to overcome these barriers.

The Way Forward

If you’re serious about advancing health equity through community engagement, here’s your game plan:

1. Commit to authentic engagement – no more checkbox exercises
2. Invest real resources – put your money where your mouth is
3. Prioritize equity and inclusivity in every aspect of your work
4. Track your impact and communicate it back to the community
5. Build relationships for the long haul – this isn’t a one-and-done thing

In Summary

Health equity community engagement isn’t just a nice-to-have strategy – it’s essential for creating healthcare systems that work for everyone.

The organizations that do this well understand that community engagement is about sharing power, not just gathering input. They invest adequate resources, build authentic relationships, and measure what matters.

And here’s the thing – even if you’re not doing this perfectly (nobody is), starting the journey is what matters. Every step toward more authentic community engagement is a step toward greater health equity.

So what are you waiting for? Your community has the expertise you need. The question is: are you ready to listen and share power?