Our Mission

Louisiana Center for Health Equity works to address the increasing disparities in health and healthcare across Louisiana. The Center represents the interest of health equity by promoting the elimination of health disparities caused by poverty, lack of access to quality health care and other social determinants with a focus on community health and wellness.

What We Do

Policy Advocacy

We engage in non-partisan advocacy on issues that align with our mission to address health disparities and promote equitable health outcomes.

Learning and Training

We offer a number of equity-centered learning and training opportunities to expand knowledge and build capacity at the individual, organization and community levels and to facilitate collective action.

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Community Outreach and Engagement

We inform and galvanize grassroots efforts in mobilizing around health inequities rooted in racial and social injustice. We inform and galvanize grassroots efforts in mobilizing around health inequities rooted in racial and social injustice.

Strategic Innovation and Impact

We assist organizations in identifying gaps and opportunities, creating plans and executing actions to realize results with a focus inclusive of determinants of health.

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Learning and Training

We offer a number of equity-centered learning and training opportunities to expand knowledge and build capacity at the individual, organization and community levels and to facilitate collective action.

Offerings range in content, length and format for audiences including professionals, policymakers, community members and youth. Though our learning and training programs and activities are typically offered in person, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several have been adapted to a virtual format and are announced as they become available. Select professional learning opportunities may also include continuing education credits in accordance with credentialing requirements. LCHE’s recurring offerings include, but are not limited to, the Annual Health Summit, Women’s Health Day symposium and webinars, Youth Peace Olympics and LYFE Line Teen Summit.

In addition to our programs and events, we also offer experiential learning opportunities for students and emerging professionals in the form of internships, fellowships, service learning, pro bono opportunities and the like. LCHE has proudly hosted a wide array of learners, including medical and public health post-doctoral fellows, law students, social work interns and undergraduate students in various fields. For more information, please reach out to us via our ‘Join Our Team’ page.

Community Outreach and Engagement

Throughout the year LCHE hosts events and programs to encourage community members of all ages to make healthy lifestyle choices and build stronger, healthier communities. Through the loyal support of our community partners, our offerings are made available for free or at minimal cost to participants.

Youth Peace Olympics click here
Hosted annually, the Youth Peace Olympics (YPO) is a free youth enrichment program with a public health approach. The program is hosted on Saturdays and serves youth ages 10-17. Through workshops, sports, field trips and more, YPO seeks to educate and empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and curb violence. The YPO in-person program began in the Gardere/South Burbank communities and extended to Old South Baton Rouge. However, in light of COVID-19, YPO is being hosted virtually and welcomes youth from all Baton Rouge communities. For more information, and to apply, click here (link to youthpeaceolympics.org)

LYFE Line Teen Summit – The LYFE (Louisiana Youth for Excellence) Line Teen Summit is an annual leadership development program. The Teen Summit, launched in 2019, includes interactive advocacy trainings, workshops, conversations and recreational activities designed to help youth unpack important community topics, network with peers and frame their perspectives as current and future leaders.

LYFE Live – The Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE) and Louisiana Youth for Excellence (L.Y.F.E.) host the L.Y.F.E. Live, Virtual Teen Dialogue Series. This series consists of interactive discussions and relatable topics for teens. L.Y.F.E. Live focuses on enhancing our youth’s knowledge and skills to help prepare them to be successful in their bright futures.

Testimonials:

Armani (Age 17): “I just want to say thank you for this experience. I am so happy that I was put into this group of amazing and wonderful people who are confident and love sharing their experiences. I hope I could do this again but in person. Thank you.”

Sadaya (Age 14): “It was a really good experience. It was very educational and fun. I learned things about financial literacy and sexual diseases. It felt like a really good environment in general, like a safe place.”

Chandler (Age 14): “This was my first time attending the summit, and I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I must say it was amazing. It was so informative especially the presentation about youth advocacy, which is needed in this climate. All of the speakers were all really good and besides learning, I had a lot of fun.”

Together We Are More (TWRM):

A Holistic Approach to Adolescent Health is a collaborative initiative in Baton Rouge to create opportunities for youth to live healthier and more productive lives. LCHE convened TWRM to develop a public health approach to adolescent health. The priorities are reducing violence and homicide, reducing the high school dropout rate, increasing social supports, and increasing extra-curricular out of school activities and more recently, suicide prevention.

Strategic Innovation and Impact

At LCHE, we understand that shared goals and thoughtful collaboration are the keys to success. Accordingly, we are pleased to lend our expertise as strategic partners to organizations and businesses who share in our mission and are committed to services, programs and policies that promote equity. If you or your organization would like to learn more about our services, please complete the form below. We would love to know how you are making a difference and how we can help!