National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference 2024

Jan Stankiewicz and Carrie Johnson
In this session participants will learn about the strategies utilized for authentic community engagement when exploring health equity in New American and Indigenous communities in North Dakota. We will unveil our best practices, hard-earned lessons and share initial data collected from dialogue circles and action forums which will serve as a guide to how we continue this work in the future.
In a state marked by glaring health disparities, particularly affecting urban Indigenous populations and New American residents, our mission is clear: to lean into existing assets, bridge gaps, and pave the way towards equitable healthcare access and positive health outcomes. Indigenous people are the second highest demographic for population in North Dakota and experience the highest rates of health disparities. In North Dakota, 25% of Indigenous individuals are without health insurance compared to 7% of all North Dakotans; the life expectancy of Indigenous individuals in ND is 65.1 years compared to 76.9 years for all other North Dakotans. The burgeoning New American community is rapidly growing, presenting its own unique challenges and opportunities with populations increasing nearly three-fold in the past two decades. 

At the heart of our endeavor lies genuine community engagement, where local voices take center stage. We've enlisted the expertise of community coaches deeply rooted within these communities, where they lead candid conversations that delve into the lived experiences of health inequity. Together, we've co-created a powerful health equity discussion guide, ensuring that every voice is heard and every perspective valued.

Join us as we unveil the initial data collected from our dialogue circles and action forums, offering a glimpse into the transformative power of authentic community engagement. And as we look towards the future, rest assured that our commitment to these communities remains unwavering. Together, we're forging a path towards a healthier, more equitable tomorrow.