Chair File: Together We Can Do So Much to Improve Community Health
This week is Community Health Improvement Week, a time to celebrate people and organizations working to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities and accelerate health equity.
Collaboration and partnership are key to successful efforts to improve community health. Hospitals, health systems and a variety of community organizations across the country are partnering to develop creative solutions and innovative programs in this critical work.
- IU Health’s iHEART collaborative embeds health resources in Indianapolis barbershops and other community spaces. The collaborative’s goal is to reduce disparities in cardiovascular disease and improve health in historically marginalized communities.
- Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, Kan., created a prescriptive food pantry that addresses food insecurity in the community and also helps patients manage diabetes. The care team works to develop a trusting relationship with these patients and provides guidance.
- Dartmouth Health, the health system I lead, is supporting efforts to provide safe, affordable housing — an important driver of individual and community health — as part of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund. We are the largest in-state investor in the fund and proud of the investment that we are making in our communities and our people.
Visit AHA.org to read about these and other examples of creative, collaborative work to improve community health. Hospitals and health systems are wholeheartedly devoted to their communities, no matter what. They are cornerstones of their communities — always there, in good times and in bad.
Most importantly this week, we want to hear from you. Join the national conversation during Community Health Improvement Week by sharing your stories on social media channels — and be sure to use the #CHIWeek hashtag. Please encourage your community partners to do the same.
Helen Keller observed: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” These wise words so aptly describe the power of partnership and collaboration that can transform our communities as we work together to ensure everyone reaches their highest potential for health