Identify an individual—an actual or symbolic friend—to whom you will write to advocate for civic engagement to advance health equity. Access the Letter to a Friend: Advocacy for Health Equity template document. Review the required

ASSESSMENT. Use template

To Prepare:

• Identify an individual—an actual or symbolic friend—to whom you will write to advocate for civic engagement to advance health equity.
• Access the Letter to a Friend: Advocacy for Health Equity template document. Review the required elements of the letter and consider how to address each element as thoroughly as possible.
• Use the Learning Resources for information. Also feel free to use other examples, case studies, or personal experiences to enhance your arguments.
• Show your passion for this effort in your letter. Use persuasive language and writing skills to inspire your friend to join you and get involved. As you cover the required content, be creative in how you present it in the form of a friendly letter.
• In planning the letter, keep the following in mind:
  • Organize your letter to include all Part 1 and Part 2 points in a clear and coherent manner.
  • You are not required to use academic language. However, you are expected to follow standard writing conventions (e.g., no use of slang terms; correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation).
  • Cite references when needed. For example:

“Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women” (CDC, 2023).

• Reference resources when needed. For example:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 3). Working together to reduce Black maternal mortality. https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html

To Complete the Competency Assessment

Using the Letter to a Friend: Advocacy for Health Equity template document, write a letter in which you make the case for greater health equity and present a plan for civic engagement to advocate for that goal. Your letter should include the following points:

Part 1: Explain Your Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

• Briefly explain the concept of health disparities and why health equity is important.
• Explain how you view health equity and inequity in your area of healthcare. Be specific with examples.
• Describe strategies you aim to use in your healthcare field or own healthcare setting to advocate for DEI. Be specific with examples.
• Explain how learning about DEI issues in healthcare impacts your thinking and behavior, as a healthcare professional and in your personal life. Be specific with examples.

Part 2: Explain Your Advocacy Plan

• Explain at least three (3) principles of civic engagement and how you would utilize these principles to promote equitable healthcare.
• Explain at least one (1) strategy you would use to promote DEI in healthcare at the local level or beyond.
• Describe at least two (2) potential challenges or barriers to advocating for DEI and equitable healthcare, and propose solutions.
• Explain your concept of how effective advocacy contributes to positive change for creating a more inclusive and equitable society.