The Greater Buffalo United Community Based Organization (GBU)

is dedicated to promoting health equity and addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) in Western New York. Through research, education, and advocacy, GBU works to ensure that all members of the community have the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

One of the key issues GBU focuses on is the impact of racial and ethnic disparities on health outcomes. As discussed in “Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care,” these disparities can have serious consequences for patients, leading to poorer health outcomes and even premature death. GBU works to address these disparities by advocating for policies that promote equitable access to healthcare and addressing the root causes of these inequities.

However, GBU recognizes that healthcare is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to promoting health equity. As outlined in “The Social Determinants of Health: A Political Economy Perspective,” factors such as economic status, education, and living conditions can also have a significant impact on an individual’s health. GBU works to address these SDOH through a variety of initiatives, including supporting access to affordable housing, promoting education and job training programs, and advocating for policies that address economic inequality.

GBU also recognizes the importance of actively combating racism in order to promote health equity. As discussed in “Dismantling Racism: A Workbook for Social Change Groups,” racism can have both direct and indirect impacts on health, and addressing it is crucial to creating a more equitable society. GBU works with community members to educate them about the ways in which racism can impact health and to provide tools and resources for combating it.