State and territorial health agencies and freely associated state health agencies can take a health equity approach to preventing suicides, overdoses, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to improve health outcomes for disproportionately affected populations in their jurisdictions. With a better understanding of the populations facing inequities, agencies can develop more equitable plans, programs, and systems. Therefore, it is important for health agencies to assess their current and future work as a whole and how health equity can intertwine with their prevention efforts.
The Suicide, Overdose, and Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Capacity Assessment Tool (SPACECAT) capacity elements toolkit guides these health agencies to increase their ability to address and prevent suicide, overdose, and ACEs. As an extension of SPACECAT, this resource serves as a tool for implementing an equitable approach to prevention work. It provides questions to consider and resources for each of the SPACECAT capacity elements. Health agency leaders and staff are encouraged to utilize these questions to assess their agencies’ existing work and use the complementary resources provided to support action and increase their capacity to enhance equity in their jurisdiction.
Before diving into the specific capacity elements, it is critical for health agencies first to consider and address these foundational questions regarding health equity in suicide, overdose, and ACEs prevention.