Presenter
Kaitlyn Grant
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
Newport, Rhode Island, the home of many affluent Rhode Islanders, is not immune to extreme health disparities that plague the rest of the state. The Ocean State’s records report that 15% of all Rhode Island children lived in poverty between 2020 and 2024, of which 76% were children of color. The report also found that 280 families with 559 children stayed in a homeless or emergency shelter last year. To address the unique needs of communities in Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Health has established Health Equity Zones. The Health Equity Zone model is a public health initiative with a goal to create safer, healthier communities and enhance economic opportunities.
The primary purpose of the Newport Health Equity Zone Project, a project that was completed as an assignment in HSC1100, Determinants of Health, was to describe the health conditions of people living in Newport, RI, the influence of social factors that may contribute to health disparities in the region, and the solutions created by the Newport Health Equity Zone (N.H.E.Z). The N.H.E.Z. addresses health disparities within the Newport community using collaborations among local organizations and residents. The initiative focuses on the promotion of equitable access to healthcare, improvement of social determinants of health, and giving power to poverty-stricken populations. Another important aspect of the N.H.E.Z is community engagement through member partnerships with public schools, public health agencies, and businesses to build stronger communities.
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Swanberg, Ph.D. M.M.H.S., OTR/L
Academic Discipline
College of Health & Wellness
Repository Citation
Grant, Kaitlyn, "Newport Health Equity Zone Development" (2025). Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium. 211.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/innov_symposium/211
