Advancing Health Equity through a Community-Driven Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plan in Portland, Maine
The partnership between Syra Health, Portland Public Health, and the residents of Greater Portland exemplifies the power of collaborative teamwork, inclusive planning, and data-informed strategy in advancing community health. By working together and placing local voices at the center of the process, this plan built a strong foundation for systemic change, bringing Portland closer to achieving health equity for all its residents.
Syra was a thoughtful and practical partner—taking the time to understand our 200-member coalition and the unique priorities of each committee. Their team delivered a clear, actionable roadmap that reflected a collaborative, equity-centered approach and set us up with a strong foundation for moving forward.
-Jane Winarta, Program Coordinator, City of Portland, Portland Public Health Division
Under the CDC's "Closing the Gap" initiative, the City of Portland, Maine, sought to address health inequities and improve chronic disease outcomes in its communities, particularly among Black or African American individuals and Hispanic or Latinx residents in Portland, South Portland, and Westbrook. The effort also focused on improving social connectedness and strengthening community-clinical linkages within these populations.
Approach
Working in close coordination with the Portland Health Equity Alignment (PHEA) leadership team, Syra Health initiated a structured and collaborative process to develop an implementation-ready plan addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). It featured:
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Tailored strategies to improve care navigation
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Expansion of culturally relevant outreach services
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Strengthening of community social networks
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Concrete steps to dismantle systemic barriers to care
Outcomes:
The resulting Portland Public Health SDOH Accelerator Plan was comprehensive, action-oriented, and grounded in equity.
