About our First Annual Summit

The Community Coalition for Lifelong Health and Well-Being (CCLHW), Communities in Action: Advancing Health Equity Through Systems Change, brought together diverse community partners with the end goal of improving health and well-being for all through community-based health services, advocacy, and research in October 2024. Recognizing and acknowledging the diverse health needs of Maryland’s urban and semi-urban communities, the CCLHW’s First Annual Summit is structured as a series of multi-disciplinary, interactive discussions about successful community-based interventions that effectively improve health equity in Maryland. The summit will also explore challenges that impede efforts to strengthen health systems. To improve health and well-being, communities must be engaged to address all aspects of health, particularly those factors linked to the social determinants of health. Positive systems change will emerge from a collective effort on the part of the community, with support from health experts and researchers. The summit represents the first step on the path for lasting systems change. 

•  Assess the social determinants of health affecting community-based health care
• Propose key strategies for durable health systems change in 21st century Maryland
• Describe best practices structured to improve health equity
• Develop culturally appropriate interventions that are inclusive and measurable
• Review and improve the current advocacy strategy to address health equity for Maryland’s diverse residents