who we are

Our Mission

We spark community connection and collaboration to create healthy communities through policy, systems, and environmental change.


Our Vision

Caring communities where human suffering is prevented and healthy lives are possible for everyone.

our guiding principles

  • justice

    We respect the dignity of all people and uplift historically and presently marginalized voices to collectively resist and transform the unjust systems that perpetuate inequities.

  • belonging

    We foster relationships and belonging to support people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to collaborate around common goals.

  • community wisdom

    We center collective community wisdom and ways of knowing, empowering ourselves to use relevant data to inform our decisions.

  • liberation

    We recognize our interdependence, build power, and invite co-creation so our communities are prepared to advocate for needed change.

  • celebration

    We are joyful and take time to celebrate as we jointly engage in the hard work of creating communities in which everyone has opportunities to be healthy.

the counties
we serve

lincoln county

benton county

linn county

how we started

Our history began around 2008 when a group of community members organized showings of the series "Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?", followed by community discussions focused on social determinants of health.  Those conversations grew into creating a more organized group, the Linn Benton Health Equity Alliance.  

In July 2011, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) established the Regional Health Equity Coalition (RHEC) initiative to support local, community-driven, culturally specific activities to reduce health inequities and address social determinants of health in Oregon.  The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) and the Public Health Division's Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section (HPCDP) funded LBHEA as one of three original RHECs.  LBHEA continues as one of 10 RHECs in the state.

Our reach has expanded to include Lincoln County, as a natural result of our health systems providing care to the three-county area.  Additionally, we have built and strengthened our connections with those from Lincoln County over time.  As a result of our work, our coalition grew and is now known as the Linn, Benton, Lincoln Health Equity Alliance.