LOCAL HEALTH IMPROVMENT PROCESS
Challenging Racism, Advancing Equity
Challenging Racism, Advancing Equity
Challenging Racism, Advancing Equity
Frederick County is home to a vibrant and growing Black community that continues to shape the county’s culture, history, and progress. Yet, generations of institutional and systemic racism have left lasting barriers that continue to affect health, opportunity, and belonging. Too many Black residents still face challenges accessing care that respects their culture, honors their lived experiences, and meets their needs close to home.
Understanding the Impact
Challenging Racism, Advancing Equity
Challenging Racism, Advancing Equity
Institutional and systemic racism influence nearly every aspect of life—from housing and employment to education and healthcare. In health, these inequities show up most clearly in Black maternal and infant outcomes, where preventable differences in care lead to preventable harm. These realities are not just statistics—they represent the ongoing struggle of families who deserve to be seen, heard, and cared for equitably.
Community-Led Change
Challenging Racism, Advancing Equity
Community-Led Change
The Black Health Equity Coalition (BHEC) leads the movement to confront and dismantle these inequities. Rooted in community leadership and lived experience, BHEC guides the Black Maternal Health Initiative and other efforts that place Black voices and solutions at the center of change.
This work is supported by partners like the Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) and the Coalition for a Healthier Frederick County (CHFC), who help coordinate resources and expand community engagement. Together, we’re building a Frederick County where every Black resident can thrive—because equity for one strengthens health for all.
INSTITUTIONAL AND SYSTEMIC RACISM
The Local Health Improvement Plan (LHIP) is a countywide effort to strengthen health and well-being for all Frederick County residents. Guided by community voices, the LHIP brings together public agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations to identify the most urgent health priorities and create shared strategies for change.
One of the priorities identified through this process is Institutional and Systemic Racism, recognizing that racism is a root cause of many health inequities. This priority focuses on addressing how systems, policies, and practices continue to create barriers for Black residents and other communities of color.
The Black Health Equity Coalition (BHEC) leads this LHIP priority, continuing its strong foundation of community-led action built through the Black Maternal Health Initiative. BHEC works alongside residents, local organizations, and government partners to confront racial inequities and redesign systems so that Black health and well-being are no longer determined by race.
This collaboration ensures that the solutions guiding Frederick County’s Local Health Improvement Plan are rooted in lived experience, driven by community leadership, and focused on building a healthier, more equitable future for everyone.
