Episcopal Health Foundation’s Post

Equitable access to comprehensive health services is essential for a person’s health. That's why Health and Health Care Services is one of EHF's three key Action Areas. These important services are delivered by community clinics, federally qualified health centers, and community-based organizations across Texas. The services include everything from preventive care to reproductive health to vitally important practices that strengthen early relational health and early childhood brain development. EHF’s approach for promoting an equitable infrastructure for whole-person care is to invest in innovative and sustainable approaches that put needed health services within reach of every Texan, especially those who have been systematically disadvantaged and have limited access to resources and opportunities. This infrastructure includes a variety of features including the use of health sector funding to pay for interventions that address non-medical drivers of health and supporting organizations that help people with lower incomes enroll in health insurance and other health-related programs. THIS is how EHF is improving #HealthNotJustHealthCare in Texas. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gX4x9Pgg #healthequity #philanthropy #FQHCs

The Health Equity and Access to Care (HEAC) project was a community-engaged research project that involved focus groups and key informant interviews designed to examine healthcare segregation in New York City (NYC). The project utilized a multi-faceted community-engaged approach that involved stakeholders from four different sectors (municipal institutions, civil society groups, academic/research and business entities) to recruit a diverse, broad-based sample of New Yorkers who accessed care within a year of participating in the study. https://lnkd.in/gwHKhHWh

Wow! While I don’t have the answers or solutions, this article reinforces my conviction that the NJ legislature and DOH must provide better funding of our NJEIS system. Better health outcomes and early childhood development needs broad base support from those who have the capacity to ensure it’s future sustainability.

The high cost of health care is a significant barrier for Missourians seeking the care they need—it’s something that has deeply affected my life and those I care about, and serves every day as my "why" for the career path I've been blessed to be able to choose. That’s why I’m excited to share new research on the realities of medical debt from my role at Missouri Foundation for Health. Missourians want policy changes to make health care more affordable and accessible. Read the full report and see what policy changes are being proposed: https://lnkd.in/gQtUBeA4

Hospitals play a crucial role in enhancing the health of rural communities. These healthcare institutions serve as vital lifelines, providing essential medical services and emergency care that might otherwise be inaccessible. In rural areas, hospitals are often the primary source of healthcare, addressing a wide range of health needs from routine check-ups to complex medical procedures. They also act as community hubs for health education and preventive care, helping to improve overall wellness and reduce health disparities. Investing in and supporting rural hospitals is key to ensuring that all communities, regardless of their location, have the opportunity to achieve optimal health outcomes. #RuralHealth #HealthcareAccess #CommunityWellness #HealthEquity #SupportRuralHospitals #PublicHealth #HealthcareForAll https://lnkd.in/gju4DzYy

A report from Chartis found that rural hospitals in states that have expanded #Medicaid are faring better financially than rural hospitals in non-expansion states.     For both adults and children living in rural communities, health care is significantly more difficult to access than in urban and suburban areas.    Medicaid allows hospitals to keep their doors open and continue providing care to rural communities.     It’s time for all states to #ExpandMedicaid so rural hospitals can continue to serve their communities.

Mainebiz is gearing up to present its 2024 Health Care Forum on June 5, and this year's topic is an especially timely one. An expert panel will explore "The Challenges and Opportunities of Older Adult Health in Maine" — with a focus on why business leaders need to recognize the impact of these issues. In January, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Aging and Disability Services published a needs assessment that included these eye-opening numbers. ✔️Maine's median age of 44, already the oldest in the U.S., is expected to rise to 49 by 2050. ✔️Mainers who are at least 65 currently make up 22% of the state's population, and that portion is expected to swell to 29% by 2050. ✔️In a survey of 3,094 older Mainers, 19% had fallen within the past six months. ✔️23% of those in the survey reported they are concerned about their memory abilities. ✔️5% of the respondents don't have enough money for food, and 11% rely on food assistance programs. The Mainebiz Health Care Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, from 7:30-10:30 a.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park St., Freeport. For more information or to register visit https://ow.ly/8O0i50RNjJX. Sponsored by Alliant Insurance Services Northern Light Health Rock Row UnitedHealthcare

For every $1 invested in Community Health Worker (CHW) programs, there’s a $3 return in health improvements and cost savings. CHWs reduce costly health care visits by addressing social factors that drive poor health. Learn how CHWs are transforming care and saving money in our latest paper: https://lnkd.in/eXd97CCg

“The Commonwealth Fund, a private U.S. foundation which supports independent research on health care issues, released the 2024 State Health Disparities Report. It compares medical outcomes for people of different races and ethnicities in each state, and ranks how well each state’s health system addresses medical conditions for each racial and ethnic group.” The latest report “shows racial and ethnic disparities persist in health care access, quality, and outcomes across the nation.” https://lnkd.in/eSSSTmZh