Community-driven solutions can take into account the range of factors that contribute to health inequity in the United States, such as income and wealth or employment. These factors are the social determinants of health. ISAIAH, the example of a faith-based organization below, works in the areas of education, employment, health systems and services, housing, income and wealth, the physical and social environments, and transportation.
As part of the PICO Network, ISAIAH is an organization that acts as a vehicle for congregations, clergy, and people of faith to act collectively toward racial and economic equity in the state of Minnesota. ISAIAH believes that leadership development unites and allows people to take powerful steps to improve the quality of their community. ISAIAH’s mechanisms of change include the three components of community organizing.
Among ISAIAH’s activities aimed at income and wealth are health impact assessments related to the impact of “pinklining” on the wealth and future of women, the need for payday loan reforms, and organizing for paid family leave.
The work on paid family leave policy has resulted in many positive outcomes for communities in Minnesota. ISAIAH’s organizing contributed to the introduction of paid family leave legislation, a fiscal and implementation study on the policy, and paid leave granted to state employees, with other cities following suit. Importantly, the work also catalyzed coalitions and campaigns to advocate for paid leave and put it on the election agenda in 2016.
IndyCAN is a multiracial, nonpartisan organization in central Indiana that catalyzes marginalized people and faith communities to act collectively for racial and economic equity. IndyCAN seeks to achieve its vision of “Opportunity for All” by building the power of traditionally excluded communities through leadership development, amplifying the prophetic voice, awakening the electorate, and creating strategic partnerships that reshape the environment to advance regional, state, and national policy campaigns. The organization seeks to improve many of the social determinants of health to achieve its mission of equity.