NEWS.
VDH-OHE Launches New Website
01 January 2025
The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Health Equity (VDH-OHE), has launched an innovative new website featuring the Health Opportunity Index (HOI), a comprehensive tool designed to help communities across Virginia better understand the multifaceted determinates of health affecting daily life and longevity. This groundbreaking resource consolidates a wide range of factors influencing health outcomes — such as economic conditions, education levels, housing quality, and access to health care — into an accessible, visually engaging format. By integrating these variables, the HOI provides a nuanced perspective on health equity, offering community members, policymakers, and public health professionals valuable insights into the disparities and opportunities that exist within their regions. The Virginia HOI empowers users to identify areas where targeted interventions could make the greatest impact, fostering informed decision-making aimed at improving health outcomes for all residents. Visitors to the website can explore interactive maps that illustrate how these determinates vary geographically, enabling a deeper understanding of the connections between social conditions and public health. This tool not only services as a catalyst for community-driven initiatives but also underscores the VDH-OHE’s commitment to advancing health equity throughout Virginia. By facilitating data-driven collaboration and promoting transparency, the HOI stands as a vital asset in the ongoing effort to build healthier, more resilient communities across the state.
The National Partnership for Action Webinar Series
01 June 2016
Recently, staff from the Office of Health Equity were invited to discuss the Health Opportunity Index as part of the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities (NPA) Webinar Series. The NPA, an initiative led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, promotes cross-sector, multi-level and systems-oriented approaches for tackling health disparities. The webinar, titled In Health Matters, Place Matters discusses the importance of place in promoting population health and eliminating health disparities. Topics covered include the impetus behind the Health Opportunity Index, how it was developed and what it can tell us about health equity in Virginia. Over 135 health policy makers, planners and industry advocates interested in healthy equity issues across the United States tuned in from across the US to learn about this cutting edge resource in Virginia.
Using the HOI to Bring Physicians to Virginia
23 February 2016
The Virginia Health Opportunity Index (HOI) plays a vital role in supporting the Conrad-30 Waiver Program, which brings skilled international medical graduates (IMGs) to some of Virginia’s most underserved communities. Administered by the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (VDH-OMHHE), the program allows IMGs, who complete their medical training in the U.S. under a J-1 Visa, to bypass the requirement to return to their home countries for two years after their studies. In exchange, they commit to serving in federally designated health professional shortage areas within Virginia. Each year, the program provides 30 slots, prioritizing primary care physicians (PCPs), while allocating 10 “flex slots” for specialists and locations based on discretionary needs. Using data from the HOI, VDH-OMHHE’s health workforce division, led by Olivette Burroughs, ensures these limited slots are strategically utilized to address health disparities. The HOI offers a comprehensive analysis of social and economic determinants that affect health outcomes, enabling data-driven decisions on where to deploy physicians most effectively. By consulting with stakeholders such as Virginia’s Primary Care Association and leveraging the HOI’s insights, the program maximizes its impact, improving healthcare access and equity in the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable regions.