COVID-19 Health Equity Response Team
In April of 2020, the OHE established the COVID-19 Health Equity Response Team. This diverse taskforce is made up of over 300 community, government, and academic stakeholders who have developed COVID-19 recommendations to serve 11 vulnerable populations in the Commonwealth. In the summer of 2020, the Health Equity Response Team developed 69 recommendations constituting a plan to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 among vulnerable populations and to reduce the potential of unintentional harm, loss of life, suffering and long term multi-generational impact.
See HEAT tab in toolbar to learn more about the expanded work of this team.
Vulnerable populations served:
- Pregnant women and parents of extremely young or multiple children
- Pennsylvanians over age 65
- Racial and ethnic minorities(R/EM)
- LGBTQ community
- Incarcerated or returning citizens
- Individuals living with mental health and/or substance abuse disorder
- Rural Pennsylvanians
- Economically challenged individuals, low-wage essential employees, and the un-and underinsured
- Survivors of interpersonal violence(SIPV)
- Pennsylvanians with disabilities and individuals who experience short-term or persistent housing insecurity or live in congregate housing
- Individuals who have immigrated and/or those for whom English is a second language
Team LeadsPennsylvanians Over Age 65 | Geoffrey Roche |
Racial and Ethnic Minorities | Oralia Dominic Khadijah Mitchell |
Pregnant Women and Families of Young/Multiple Children | Nancy Mimm Aasta Mehta |
Rural Pennsylvanians | Allison Robinson |
Pennsylvanians with Disabilities and Individuals Who Experience Short-Term or Persistent Housing Insecurity or Live in Congregate Housing | Christine Heyser |
Individuals Who Have Immigrated and/or Those for Whom English is a Second Language | Meagan Hume |
Survivors of Interpersonal Violence | Belinda Williams |
Incarcerated or Returned Residents | TaWanda Stallworth |
Individuals Living with Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse Disorder | Roseanne Scotti |
Economically Challenged Individuals, Low-Wage Essential Employees, and The Un-and Underinsured | Rebecka Rosenquist Caroline La Rochelle |
The LGBTQ Community | Sarah Russo
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