Health Equity Council

Health Equity Council

The Health Equity Council (HEC) is a strategic and action-oriented body within the Colorado Public Health Association (CPHA). The Council advances CPHA’s mission by promoting equity, racial justice, and improved health outcomes for all Coloradans.

Guided by CPHA’s core values—Advocacy, Connectedness, Health Equity, Racial Justice, and Service—the HEC centers lived experience, strengthens inclusive leadership, and embeds equity across CPHA’s programs, partnerships, and advocacy efforts.

The Council serves as a hub for collaboration, learning, and accountability, ensuring equity is not an add-on—but a foundation of public health practice across Colorado.

CONNECT

What does an average committee meeting look like?

Meetings are structured, agenda-driven, and collaborative. Agendas are shared in advance and meetings typically include:

Council and CPHA updates
Strategic planning and implementation discussions
Learning and capacity-building
Partnership coordination

What value can members gain from joining or participating in your committee?

Members of the Health Equity Council gain:

Opportunities to influence CPHA policy, programming, and advocacy
Leadership development and visibility within the public health field
Meaningful collaboration with community-based organizations
Professional development, mentorship, and capacity-building opportunities
A supportive, values-aligned space rooted in connection, healing, and impact

Goals

The Health Equity Council exists to:

Amplify underrepresented and historically excluded voices
Foster inclusive public health leadership
Elevate lived experience as a recognized form of expertise
Coordinate meaningful partnerships across Colorado
Build equity capacity within the public health workforce
Embed equity into CPHA’s operations, committees, advocacy, and programs
Use data and lived experience to inform policy, practice, and recommendations

Partnerships & Collaboration

The Health Equity Council prioritizes:

Reciprocal relationships with community-based organizations
Statewide engagement, including rural and under-resourced communities
National and global peer learning
Language access (ASL and Spanish)
Connection-building events (virtual, hybrid, and in-person)

Sustainability & Accountability

To ensure long-term impact, the Council will:

Seek funding and sponsorships for stipends and programming
Publish an annual Equity Impact Report
Use feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement
Track engagement and outcomes by race, geography, income, and interest
Maintain transparency and external accountability

Meet the Chair

Meladie Lowe

Health Equity Officer

Contact

Meladie uses She/Her pronouns and has a Master’s in Social Work. She has demonstrated servant leadership for over 14 years, with experience in clinical therapy, child welfare, college academia, victim advocacy, Alzheimer's Disease and Related dementia, equity strategy, and domestic violence prevention. Throughout her experiences, she has demonstrated a passion for creating a place of belonging for all individuals through advocacy and systemic changes. She believes individuals should be included in the decisions that impact them. Meladie continues to do this work because she cares about people - wanting them to feel seen, celebrated, and included.

2026 Anti- Racist & Health Equity Series

This curated collection of sessions elevates diverse voices and actionable, evidence-based strategies to advance health equity across communities. Addressing topics from Black maternal and infant mortality to brain health and community resilience, each session offers insight and tools for meaningful public health change.

Visit the Series Website