Louisiana’s health statistics have been grim for decades, with some of the highest rates of chronic illness in the country, and a ranking of 49th in the United Health Foundation’s state-by-state report card. One of the biggest factors in Louisiana’s poor ranking are the inequities in our state’s healthcare system. Among the most vulnerable are the poor, the disabled, and people of color.

In an effort to bridge the gap in healthcare access to these communities, the Louisiana Department of Health created the office of Community Partnerships and Health Equity in 2019. Louisiana’s health equity initiative is in the early stages and major disparities still exist. We explore what those disparities are and what a more equitable system would look like?