Lighthouse Community Health Services believes that it is essential that all aspects of health systems be reflective of the diversity of the communities that they serve and that LHCS strives to become and remain culturally and linguistically competent. A culturally and linguistically competent health system incorporates skills, attitudes, and policies to ensure that it is effectively addressing the needs of individuals and families with diverse values, beliefs, and sexual orientations, in addition to backgrounds that vary by race, ethnicity, religion, and language.

Health equity is the “attainment of the highest level of health for all people. Achieving health equity requires valuing everyone equally with focused and ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and health care disparities.” (Source: Healthy People 2020. Disparities. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/foundation-health-measures/Disparities. Accessed November 24, 2021).

Lighthouse Community Health Services is committed to advancing an anti-racist agenda and promoting health equity. We affirm the importance of advocacy and recognize that racial injustice has caused trauma and harm to disenfranchised communities. We acknowledge that combating racism and inequity is an ongoing commitment. The impact of economic, clinical, and environmental disparities, including diverse linguistic needs, may hinder the opportunity to access and receive quality and equitable health care and services. Thus, we remain devoted to addressing discrimination, stigma, and other social and moral determinants of health, leading by example and educating our affiliates and communities. Together, we stand united in support of racial justice and the intersection of behavior health, primary health, and the well-being care of humanity.