(1) The purpose of the office is to serve in a coordinating, educating, and capacity-building role for state and local public health programs and community-based organizations promoting health equity in Colorado by implementing strategies tailored to address the varying complex causes of health disparities, including the economic, physical, and social environment. The office shall work collaboratively within the department and with affected stakeholders to set priorities, collect and disseminate data, and align resources within the department and across other state agencies.
(2) The office has the following powers, duties, and functions:
Administering and coordinating the health disparities grant program created in section 25-4-2203;
Leading and coordinating the department's health equity efforts;
Publishing data reports documenting health disparities;
Providing education to the public on health equity, health disparities, and the socialdeterminants of health;
Coordinating the interpretation and translation services within the department andoffering technical assistance to other state and local agencies;
Building capacity within communities to offer or expand public health programs tobetter meet the needs of a diverse population;
Conducting state-level strategic planning on minority health improvement;
Providing technical assistance to the department in carrying out its programs and tocounty, district, and municipal public health agencies, community-based organizations, and communities in the state;
Promoting workforce diversity within public health systems;
Coordinating and staffing the health equity commission created in section 25-4-2206;(k) Repealed.
Building collaborative partnerships with communities to identify and promote healthequity strategies; and
Developing communications strategies regarding health equity.
(3) The office shall report to the executive director of the department or his or her designee, at the discretion of the executive director.
Source: L. 2007: Entire section added, p. 905, § 3, effective May 15. L. 2010: (2)(h) amended, (HB 10-1422), ch. 419, p. 2101, § 113, effective August 11. L. 2013: (1), IP(2), (2)(b), (2)(d), (2)(e), (2)(j), and (3) amended, (2)(k) repealed, and (2)(l) and (2)(m) added, (HB 131088), ch. 25, p. 61, § 5, effective August 7.