Health Equity: Today and Beyond: Actionable Academic Strategies Aleeza Nasir; Andrea Ault-Brutus, PHD, MPA, BBA; Isma Chaudhry, MD, MPH, MBBS Hofstra University
Introduction Health equity assures that every individual has an equal opportunity to achieve optimal health; nevertheless, institutional racism, poverty, and restricted access to care continue to widen gaps. These issues were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. During National Public Health Week 2025, Hofstra University hosted the Health Equity: Today and Beyond forum to discuss the challenges and solutions to achieving parity across sectors. This poster emphasizes fundamental topics and turns them into practical academic advocacy methods.
Methods Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on a recorded and transcribed 2025 Hofstra NPHW panel. Using predetermined themes from the health equity and advocacy literature, transcripts were tagged and evaluated for common concepts. Additionally, inductive codes identified emergent patterns. Panelists included healthcare providers, public health leaders, community organizations, and academic institutions.
Results Key Themes Theme 1: Building Advocacy Capacity
Actionable Strategies Actionable Strategies for Academic Institutions: 1. Co-Governed Partnerships ❖ Shared advisory boards with equal community decision-making authority. 2. Community-Driven Data Systems ❖ Joint data collection and interpretation led by residents and researchers. 3. Advocacy Training Pipelines ❖ Long-term skill development in policy, communication, and data analysis.
❖ Cultural humility and policy literacy are essential
4. Barrier-Reporting Structures
❖ Mentorship networks sustain advocates
❖ Systematic documentation of access barriers shared with agencies.
Theme 2: Multi-Sector Collaboration ❖ Health equity requires coordinated cross-sector action ❖ Partnerships expand workforce, funding, and reach Theme 3: Sustaining Motivation & Resilience ❖ Advocacy demands long-term commitment ❖ Collective support prevents burnout
5. Collaborative Micro-Grants ❖ Funding models requiring shared academic–community project design.
Theme 4: Community Engagement ❖ Trust and lived-experience leadership are critical ❖ Participatory decision-making strengthens impact Theme 5: Policy Impact & Government Role ❖ Policy can reduce or worsen inequities ❖ Disaggregated data is essential for accountability
Aims 1. To analyze the major themes emerging from the Health Equity: Today and Beyond advocacy panel. 2. To propose actionable recommendations for strengthening health equity advocacy across institutions and communities
Discussion The findings indicate that health equality growth is dependent on continuous advocacy capability, shared governance, and true community leadership. Symbolic institutional outreach is ineffective without transparent power-sharing and accountability. The proposed solutions apply panel insights to real academic action.
Conclusion Academic institutions play an important role in advancing health equity by promoting shared governance, data transparency, and ongoing advocacy training. Incorporating these strategies into institutional practice supports long-term, community-centered equity efforts.
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6. Public Accountability Structures ❖ Annual equity hearings to report progress and receive community feedback.
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