Purpose - R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 23-64.1-4

The “commission for health care advocacy and equity” must: (1) “advocate for the integration of all relevant activities of the state to achieve health equity;” (2) Advise the director of health and other administrators “regarding issues of racial, ethnic, cultural, or socio-economic health disparities; (3) facilitate coordination among Rhode Island’s systems (e.g. housing, education, community development) in order to develop “a comprehensive health equity plan addressing the social determinants of health;” (4) establish health equity goals; and (5) “educate state agencies…on disparities, including social factors that play a role in creating or maintaining disparities.

The commission must conduct studies on issues that impact the health of individuals, families, and communities in order to propose recommendations for reducing and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities.