March 17, 2023

Unlocking Health Equity Data in Erie County with Kelly Wofford

38 minutes

Ep. 24 Discover the shocking disparities in health equity revealed by the Erie County Initial Report. Kelly Wofford is the director of the Erie County Department of Health Equity, established by law in 2020. She is responsible for the Health Equity in Erie County: An Initial Disparities Report - This report is intended to serve as a resource for all Erie County residents so that they can better understand the issues and status of health equity and health disparities in Erie County.

Through surveys, targeted outreach and focus groups, Kelly and her team gave a voice to the people who have historically been left out of conversations.

In this episode, you will learn the following:

1. How Erie County's Office of Health Equity is using equity to address the social determinants of health for marginalized communities in Western New York.

2. How the Office of Health Equity collected data from more than 3,000 Erie County residents.

3. How the Office of Health Equity is building relationships with community members to ensure their stories are heard.

Resources

Office of Health Equity established in Erie County

https://www3.erie.gov/health/health-equity

Office of Health Equity written into Law

https://www3.erie.gov/health/sites/www3.erie.gov.health/files/2023-02/locallawheoffice.pdf

Buffalo Center for Health Equity

257 W. Genesee Street Suite 160

Buffalo, NY 14202

[email protected]

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About the Guest

With a career centered in health engagement and advocacy, Kelly Marie Wofford began her role as the inaugural director of the Erie County Department Office of Health Equity in late 2021. The Office of Health Equity is a new initiative that focuses on evaluating health disparities and improving health outcomes in Erie County, and building partnerships for programs that help marginalized and diverse populations in Erie County achieve maximum health and wellness.

Prior to her role establishing the Erie County Office of Health Equity, Kelly led

community relations at Erie County Medical Center as well as communications efforts and mental health advocacy for the Buffalo Center for Health Equity. Her leadership was also pivotal in the creation of the University at Buffalo’s Institute for Community Health Equity, a research institute – the first of its kind – that partners with the Buffalo Center for Health Equity and the Erie County Office of Health Equity to provide the research needed to achieve the vision of a

more healthy, equitable, and just community.

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By Buffalo Center for Health Equity

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