Health Equity

The Montana Public Health Institute is committed to advancing health equity. It’s central to our mission, and we center it in all our work. We recognize that health equity is a big term that means different things to different people. To us at MTPHI, health equity is the future in which everyone has fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Our understanding of health equity is built on the following:

• Diversity means that we continually seek to learn from, understand, represent and be accountable to the variety of identities that exist across Montana. We know that working with all Montanans – including those who have different perspectives than we do -  is critical to ensuring our work is impactful.

• We believe that equity is an ongoing pursuit, and that all Montanans should have the opportunity to thrive. We view it as our responsibility to utilize our resources to break down barriers, correct inequities, and foster opportunities to engage with the public health system that are accessible for all. 

• Our job is to move from inclusion towards involvement. It’s not just about offering folks a seat at the table, but instead about creating platforms for voices that have been marginalized to be heard.

• Pursuing justice requires us to acknowledge historic wrongs and work to break down systemic barriers. Inequities are the product of injustices, and we must understand and correct injustice to truly advance health equity in Montana.