The Washington State Department of Health announced today that nominations have opened for the Health Equity Zones (HEZ) initiative, which aims to fund health-focused projects in three Washington communities.
The Department is addressing lower life expectancies, air pollution, environmental concerns, and inadequate medical facilities in certain Washington communities that lead to individuals experiencing health obstacles, particularly among populations that historically have been marginalized and underserved.
The HEZ initiative, created by the Washington State legislature in 2021, will pilot community-led projects in three different “zones” – rural, urban, and Native communities – and aim to solve each area’s most urgent healthcare problems by employing health equity measures.
Each geographic area that is selected as a HEZ will be paid $200,000 annually for two years to identify health priorities and formulate community action plans to be executed for improved health outcomes.
