Nurse-Managed Health Centers
Safety-net providers are an essential source of health care for vulnerable populations, including the uninsured, the underinsured, and undocumented immigrants. Cuts in Medicaid funding further threaten this already fragile infrastructure. Policymakers, advocates, and foundations can all play a role in shoring up safety net providers.
Availability and Use of Local Health Data
Public education, advocacy, and community-based programs can be very powerful vehicles for improving health. There is growing recognition that such efforts are most effective when driven by specific information about communities.
Improving the Quality of Health Care for All Americans
Ensuring access to quality health care is one of the major goals of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), as is improving the quality of health care for people with chronic conditions. Working toward this goal means that we must eliminate the unacceptable gaps in health care experienced by racial and ethnic minorities.
Designing the Public Health System for a Healthier U.S.
Philanthropic organizations and others involved in supporting public health have begun to focus on ways to improve an ailing system so that it protects the people it serves. This View from the Field spotlights the national Turning Point initiative.
Creating a Healthier Future for Children: Precaution Is Prevention
With chronic childhood diseases and an array of learning and developmental disabilities on the rise, a burgeoning body of science is illuminating links between environmental exposures and children’s health. Health funders interested in childhood development and lifelong health are increasingly moving upstream to support precautionary action as a critical prevention strategy.
Advancing the Use of Health Data
With a few actions, grantmakers can boost the use of health data in their communities. This article draws upon the work of The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and describes how it is using data and creating new data resources for its grantees and others in its service area – Cincinnati, Ohio and 20 surrounding counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Immigrants and Refugees
Resettling in a new country brings a unique set of mental health challenges for immigrants and refugees. Most immigrant parents who arrive in new communities are faced with immediate challenges to their survival – securing a job, finding a place to live, buying food, and enrolling their children in school.
Grantmakers Partner to Improve Children’s Development
The rallying cry “Think nationally, act locally” has proven to be remarkably successful for Healthy Steps for Young Children. Spearheaded by The Commonwealth Fund and launched at 24 sites around the country, Healthy Steps’ success is due in no small part to the commitment and organizational and financial support provided by a partnership of national, community, and new health foundations.
Using Strategic Philanthropy to Advance State Health Care Reform: Maine’s New Dirigo Health Plan
Learn about development of Maine’s innovative Dirigo Health Plan, an ambitious, comprehensive health care reform initiative. Dirigo Health will offer a health insurance product to individuals, the self-employed, and small businesses; expand eligibility in Maine’s Medicaid program; and improve quality and contain costs.