Boone County News Release

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Boone County and City of Columbia Representatives Attend Health Equity Peer Exchange

June 20, 2018 – On June 7 and 8, 2018, Kelly Wallis, Director of Boone County Community Services Department, and Scott Clardy, Assistant Director of Columbia/Boone County Department of Health and Human Services, participated in the National Association of County’s first-ever Health Equity Peer Exchange in Jefferson County, KY.  The Health Equity Peer Exchange was an opportunity to learn more about the root causes of health inequity and strategies to combat them, exemplified by the award-winning health equity work being implemented in Jefferson County, KY. Though great strides have been made in the study and understanding of health disparities, meaningful gaps in both quality of life and life expectancy persist for many underserved groups in the US, including Boone County, MO. By participating in the Health Equity Peer Exchange, Kelly and Scott were able to share information gleaned through the work of “Live Well Boone County,” and bring information back to further the efforts in Boone County to reduce health disparities in our community.

“Live Well Boone County,” a five-year community health improvement plan, includes a strategic priority area focused on reducing health disparities in the county. The Health Disparities Action Team, a diverse group of members from the health, social services, and education, meet monthly to increase awareness of health disparities to policymakers and other stakeholders. This has been accomplished through diversity, equity and inclusion training programs. As a result of this group’s work, an evidence-based program, “Live Well by Faith,” was funded through County Health Funding to improve health outcomes related to heart disease and diabetes in the black community. This work is done in coordination with historical black churches.

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The Government of Boone County, Missouri employs over 500 people and serves more than 162,642 citizens across 691 square miles by administering and enforcing state and local laws, collecting taxes, assessing property, maintaining roads, conducting elections, recording public documents, and much more.