On July 19, 2023, we hosted our inaugural Summit to engage individuals working in the aging and disability sectors with advocates contributing to the racial equity and social justice movements, beginning a shared journey to expedite change.
Browse below to explore details from our inaugural 2023 United for Health Equity in Aging Summit, hosted by The SCAN Foundation. The Summit is part of our broader Advancing Health Equity in Aging Initiative
Summit Highlights
The Power of Data and Storytelling: Let’s Change Minds and Systems to Advance Social Justice
This morning session highlighted quantitative and qualitative approaches for measuring community disparities. Attendees learned about the impact of combining data with people’s stories to address health inequities and advance social justice, and left with an understanding of using data to define a problem, exploring solutions, and engaging communities for action.
- The Power of Data and Storytelling (Presentation PDF)
- The Power of Data and Storytelling (Accessible PDF)
Lived Experience Matters: The Importance of Community-Based Research to Elevate the Voices of Older Adults
Greater Good Studio shared their process of engaging older adults across the state to gain day-in-the-life observations and examine health inequities, offering insights and strategies for improving the lives of older Californians who experience structural discrimination. We heard directly from older adults who provided their personal perspectives on aging and health equity, and what needs to be done to ensure every older adult has the opportunity to age well.
Resources
Photos and Media
Diverse Perspectives from Older Adults
Derrion: As part of the Advancing Health Equity in Aging initiative, Greater Good Studio embedded their team in Imperial, San Diego, San Francisco, and Shasta counties. In this March 2023 video, we are introduced to Derrion. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Derrion discusses his then-approaching kidney dialysis. He traces back what led to his health challenges – from alcohol and drugs used during his youth to escape the pain of an abusive stepfather, to growing up in an underinvested neighborhood with a lack of choices. The latter impacted everything – from the employment he secured to the food he ate.
Calexico: As part of the Advancing Health Equity in Aging initiative, Greater Good Studio embedded their team in Imperial, San Diego, San Francisco, and Shasta counties. In Imperial County, we learned about Calexico – a town where California and Mexico meet and where approximately 20 percent of the population are older adults and/or on Medicare. Many of this population are also farmworkers. In this March 2023 video, clinic patients and providers of Calexico Wellness Clinic’s mobile clinic share perspectives and highlight some of the ways economic and environmental conditions such as poverty, housing stability, food security, and transportation play a pronounced role in a person’s biological age and the manifestation of health challenges over time.
Hmong Cultural Center: As part of the Advancing Health Equity in Aging initiative, Greater Good Studio embedded their team in Imperial, San Diego, San Francisco, and Shasta counties. Health equity in aging requires a holistic definition of well-being — in body, mind, and spirit. This is especially true for older adults with diverse identities and backgrounds who have experienced the impact of discrimination and isolation; disconnection from identity, culture, or homeland; and an absence of belonging and community – all of which can dramatically impact mental and physical health. In this March 2023 video, members of the Hmong Cultural Center speak about the importance of cultural connection in service of their overall well-being and hopes for the future.
Our Culture is the Cure: As part of the Advancing Health Equity in Aging initiative, Greater Good Studio embedded their team in Imperial, San Diego, San Francisco, and Shasta counties. This March 2023 video is an acknowledgment of Native people and culture that has been here, then erased, and yet is always still here. We have data about health equity but significantly less for communities of color – particularly Native older adults and caregivers. This video reminds us that inequity, and health inequity, is an unnatural part of the society we live in. The impacts of oppression are a form of pollution, affecting the older adults in our lives and the health of all of us. How might a return to where we come from – and who we come from – transform the state of health equity? What might that look like?
Harry: As part of the Advancing Health Equity in Aging initiative, Greater Good Studio embedded their team in Imperial, San Diego, San Francisco, and Shasta counties. In this March 2023 video, we meet Harry, who shares his experience growing up as a Chinese American and as an LGBTQ+ person. After decades of feeling ostracized and discriminated against due to his intersectional identity, he is finally finding the confidence to share his story and use his voice.
Quick Takes
“It is critical for The SCAN Foundation to reaffirm the utilization of its privilege for good.”
“We think voices from community matter, community-driven solutions matter … to reduce health inequities to improve the lives of all older adults no matter what walks of life you are from.”
“This Summit, it should have happened 100 years ago. My voice is tiny but if we get a group – your voices – you are the next generation.”
“Coalitions are essential … when you are talking about policy change and movement change and getting the community active and engaged.”
“Change moves at the speed of trust.”
“These [the aging and disability sectors, and the racial equity and social justice movements] are important bodies of work that all have an area that touch together. Each one of these segments are so important. … We need to bring it back to a personhood approach.”
“Health equity is when everyone has the best opportunity to achieve their best health and wellness.”
“It is very important for us to change the default and to blur the lines … so that the wisdom of our elders [is] designing the lead, and the strength of our youth are carrying the charge.”
“You are all community builders. Go out and build community.”
“Find the 'emotional truth.' We know how to change minds, but it's in our emotional lives where meaning gets made.”
Watch the Recording
Our packed Summit agenda sought to:
- EXPAND the “tent” of individuals and organizations interested in the intersection of age, racial equity, and social justice;
- ELEVATE the voices of older adults of color, highlighting health inequities;
- EXCITE attendees by creating a unique space within California’s movement ecosystem; and
- ENGAGE and build buy-in from attendees for participation in our larger initiative.