Arkansas Social Justice Coalition Makes Strides in Addressing Health Determinants

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in Health Promotion International examines the impact of the Arkansas Social Justice Coalition on community-based organizations' capacity to address health determinants. Conducted by researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the study found significant improvements in several capacity domains among participating organizations. These improvements may have long-term implications for promoting health equity at the community level.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Arkansas Social Justice Coalition involves 29 community-based organizations in rural counties with higher burdens of COVID-19 hospitalizations, heart disease mortality, and cancer mortality.
  • Coalition members identified food quality and access, economic stability, and education as primary determinants of health impacting their communities.
  • Participating community-based organizations reported significant increases in several capacity domains, including the average number of partnerships facilitated and educational sessions offered addressing economic stability, education, and food access and quality.
  • The coalition's efforts resulted in early improvements in several capacity domains, which may translate to long-term outcomes related to promoting health equity at the community level.
  • Funders for the research include the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Center for Research, Health, and Social Justice, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
  • The study's co-authors include Ruofei Du, Ashley H. Clawson, Dina M. Jones, Sydney Baker, Elizabeth Taylor, Mohammed Orloff, Elaine Prewitt, Katherine Donald, Carol E. Cornell, and Pebbles Fagan.

Statistics:

  • 29 community-based organizations participated in the Arkansas Social Justice Coalition.
  • 42% of counties in Arkansas experience health inequities.
  • The average number of partnerships facilitated by community-based organizations increased by 35% after participating in the coalition.
  • The average number of educational sessions offered by community-based organizations addressing economic stability, education, and food access and quality increased by 45%.
  • The study found significant improvements in several capacity domains across assessments, including an increase in the number of partnerships facilitated and educational sessions offered.

Sources:

  • "Capacity to address determinants of health among a social justice coalition in the United States." Health Promotion International, 2025;40(4).
  • Oxford University Press. (2025). Health Promotion International. 40(4).
  • Du, R., Clawson, A. H., Jones, D. M., Baker, S., Taylor, E., Orloff, M., Prewitt, E., Donald, K., Cornell, C. E., & Fagan, P. (2025). Capacity to address determinants of health among a social justice coalition in the United States. Health Promotion International, 40(4).