10th anniversary of the Western Massachusetts Health Equity Network

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – Health advocates from around the state gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Western Massachusetts Health Equity Network.

This network is dedicated to seeking strategies and opportunities to create conditions in which communities are able to attain the highest level of health and care.

They believe that achieving health equity requires valuing everyone equally with focused societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and healthcare disparities. Thursday’s showcase is designed as an open house, allowing people to drop in and learn about the resources available.

Andrea Freeman, an Organizer with the Public Health Institute of Western Mass. told 22News, “We wanted to bring together people in Western Mass who are doing advocacy and lobbying to advance public health and health equity.”

Lamont Scott, a Project Director at MOCHA said, “A lot of folks really don’t know about resources available to and throughout our community so we are coming to give this information. Bring it back and share it to educate them on what they have out here to utilize for themselves and for their families in our community.”

MOCHA , or men of color health awareness is just one of the nearly 300 health advocates present on Thursday. They work to empower men of color to play an active role in our health care through health education and wellness classes.

Local News Headlines

Natives of Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula return to Big E with various handcrafted products

Big E’s Harvest New England Day pays homage to our region’s farmers

Square One receives grant to help rebuild center ravaged by 2011 tornado

State Line Propane and Oil opens a show room in Westfield

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.