Integrating a health equity plan to improve maternal health outcomes can be a powerful strategy to improve quality, outcomes, and access to care in any state.

Equity plans should outline the current state of health, obstacles, and demographics of the targeted region or population. The following are essential building blocks and strategies that all health equity plans should include.

Health equity plans must identify…

• The health disparities they aim to address
• Long-term health equity goals
• Strategies to overcome identified obstacles to equitable care
• Mechanisms to hold leaders accountable for equitable outcomes

Strategies for implementing health equity plans:

• Review health data with community leaders
• Work with stakeholders to diversify healthcare workforces
• Engage legislators to create equity-advancing policies
• Support other community organizations engaged in equity efforts

Approaches for ensuring accountability:

• Create performance indicators and set improvement goals
• Establish a process for tracking relevant outcomes
• Develop and submit plans to CMS for translation and non-emergency transportation
• Integrate equity goals into payment models