Health & Human Services

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newborn baby cradled in the hospital

Significance

Health and human services that are high quality, affordable and culturally appropriate and support the optimal well-being of all people.

Tracking the overall condition of health in Washington is critical for promoting optimal well-being for all people. Drawing awareness to health outcomes by race, place, and income allows the State to uncover disparities and develop more specific intervention to improve health outcomes.

A Black non-binary person with a leopard print cane presses a wall-mounted push button to open the cafe door. They are dressed in all black and have a shaved head, glasses, and a red lip on. Attribution: Disabled and Here collection.

Accessible Healthcare

Many people are unable to access medical services because of either a personal or structural barrier to care despite medical need. Access to health care is a contributor to health outcomes and years of healthy life. When people avoid or delay doctor visits it has a negative impact on their health status and may decrease the likelihood of early intervention for serious conditions. Understanding the amount of unmet medical needs allows the State to identify and create interventions for those in our community who do not have access to preventative services.

man receives injection in a medical office

Affordable Healthcare

Insurance helps to make medical care accessible, and the lack of insurance is a barrier for engaging in preventative medical care or can create a significant financial burden for necessary treatment. Healthcare services are not affordable without insurance and insurance is often inaccessible due to cost.

A zoomed out full body shot showing three Black and disabled friends (a non-binary person with a cane and tangle stim toy, a non-binary person sitting in a power wheelchair, and an invisibly disabled femme) smiling and taking a cell phone selfie together. All are outdoors in front of a white wall. Attribution: Disabled and Here Collection.

Optimal Well-Being

Life expectancy is a measure that captures the overall health status of a population. Through examining life expectancy, Washington can understand the health status of residents and develop specific interventions to improve health outcomes.

Other indicators for well-being include:

  • Infant Mortality
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Tobacco Use
  • Frequent Mental Distress

A Latinx woman with an invisible disability and an Asian disabled genderfluid person chat and sit on a couch, both holding coffee mugs. An electric lightweight mobility scooter rests on the side. Attribution: Disabled and Here collection.

And More

  • High Quality Services
  • Culturally Appropriate Services

Accessible Services

A Black non-binary person with a leopard print cane presses a wall-mounted push button to open the cafe door. They are dressed in all black and have a shaved head, glasses, and a red lip on. Attribution: Disabled and Here collection.
A Black non-binary person with a leopard print cane presses a wall-mounted push button to open the cafe door. They are dressed in all black and have a shaved head, glasses, and a red lip on. Attribution: Disabled and Here collection.

Accessible Healthcare

Many people are unable to access medical services because of either a personal or structural barrier to care despite medical need. Access to health care is a contributor to health outcomes and years of healthy life. When people avoid or delay doctor visits it has a negative impact on their health status and may decrease the likelihood of early intervention for serious conditions. Understanding the amount of unmet medical needs allows the State to identify and create interventions for those in our community who do not have access to preventative services.

Affordable Services

man receives injection in a medical office
man receives injection in a medical office

Affordable Healthcare

Insurance helps to make medical care accessible, and the lack of insurance is a barrier for engaging in preventative medical care or can create a significant financial burden for necessary treatment. Healthcare services are not affordable without insurance and insurance is often inaccessible due to cost.

Optimal Well-Being

A zoomed out full body shot showing three Black and disabled friends (a non-binary person with a cane and tangle stim toy, a non-binary person sitting in a power wheelchair, and an invisibly disabled femme) smiling and taking a cell phone selfie together. All are outdoors in front of a white wall. Attribution: Disabled and Here Collection.
A zoomed out full body shot showing three Black and disabled friends (a non-binary person with a cane and tangle stim toy, a non-binary person sitting in a power wheelchair, and an invisibly disabled femme) smiling and taking a cell phone selfie together. All are outdoors in front of a white wall. Attribution: Disabled and Here Collection.

Optimal Well-Being

Life expectancy is a measure that captures the overall health status of a population. Through examining life expectancy, Washington can understand the health status of residents and develop specific interventions to improve health outcomes.

Other indicators for well-being include:

  • Infant Mortality
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Tobacco Use
  • Frequent Mental Distress

And More

A Latinx woman with an invisible disability and an Asian disabled genderfluid person chat and sit on a couch, both holding coffee mugs. An electric lightweight mobility scooter rests on the side. Attribution: Disabled and Here collection.
A Latinx woman with an invisible disability and an Asian disabled genderfluid person chat and sit on a couch, both holding coffee mugs. An electric lightweight mobility scooter rests on the side. Attribution: Disabled and Here collection.

And More

  • High Quality Services
  • Culturally Appropriate Services