OAR 950-020-0010: Definitions

(1) Regional health equity coalitions are: (a) Autonomous, community-led, cross-sector groups focused on addressing health inequities experienced by priority populations, at the policy, system, and environmental levels, with the leading priority being communities of color. (b) Completely independent of coordinated care organizations and public bodies as defined in ORS 174.109. (c) Supported by fiscal agents such as federally recognized tribes of Oregon and community-based nonprofit entities, including culturally specific organizations, social service providers, organizations that provide health care, organizations that conduct public health research, organizations that provide behavioral health treatment, private foundations, and faith-based organizations. (d) Required to have decision-making bodies: (A) Whose membership is at least 51 percent individuals who identify as members of communities of color who have experienced health inequities. (B) That prioritize the recruitment of members who identify as members of communities of color or who work in roles that address health inequities and institutional racism. (2) The regional health equity coalition model means an approach that: (a) Recognizes the impact of structural, institutional and interpersonal racism on the health and well-being of communities of color and other priority populations; (b) Meaningfully engages priority populations to lead efforts to address health inequities; (c) Supports and strengthens leadership development for priority populations; (d) Honors the wisdom of members of priority populations; and (e) Ensures that policy solutions and system changes build upon the strengths of the priority populations. (3) Community-led means efforts based on a set of core principles that, at minimum: (a) Engages the people living in a geographic community to establish goals and priorities; (b) Uses local residents as leaders; (c) Builds on strengths rather than focusing on problems; and (d) Involves cross-sector collaboration that is intentional and adaptable and works to achieve systemic change. (4) Communities of color means members of the following racial or ethnic communities: (a) American Indian/Alaska Native; (b) Asian; (c) Black/African American; (d) Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx; (e) Middle Eastern/North African; (f) Multi-race or multi-ethnic individuals; (g) Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders; or (h) Other racial or ethnic minorities. (5) Cross-sector means involving individuals, public and private institutions and communities working together to address the social determinants of health and equity. (6) Culturally specific means led by individuals from the community served, using language, structures, and settings familiar to the members of the community. (7) Priority populations means: (a) Communities of color; (b) Tribal communities including the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon and other American Indians and Alaska Natives people: (c) Immigrants; (d) Refugees; (e) Migrant and seasonal farmworkers; (f) Low-income individuals and families; (g) Persons with disabilities; and (h) Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, or who question their sexual or gender identity.