Strengthening

Community Connectivity

K E Y S T R AT E G I E S TO R E D U C E H E A LT H

I N E Q U I T I E S

Presentation material prepared

as part of a panel discussion

for the American Public Health

Association’s national conference,

November 2014, in New Orleans.

The subject was The Kresge

Foundation’s Safety Net

Enhancement Initiative, a multi-

year effort undertaken in eight

communities across the U.S.

Safety-Net

Enhancement Initiative Voices of the community

North County Healthcare

Flagstaff, Arizona

CHILDHOOD OBESITY

“People are socializing in our exercise

groups. They’ve brought about a healthy

change and are something people look

forward to.”

“Incremental changes lead to big health

changes down the line. Our project is part

of what’s planting the seeds of health in

our community.”

Alameda County Public Health

Department

Oakland, California

ADULT OBESITY

“If we were still in our silos, the healthcare

people would be looking for ways to treat

the next generation of diabetics… and

public safety would be putting people in

jail – and letting someone else worry

about the rest.”

“We’ve definitely improved the amount of

produce that women and their families are

eating because of produce deliveries.”

Kokua Kalihi Valley

Comprehensive Family

Services

Honolulu, Hawaii

DIABETES

“Changing demographics are a challenge

when we’re trying to build community and a

sense of connectedness and belonging.”

“When the process has hit bumps there’s been open dialogue about how to improve it. It’s been a constant re-evaluation.”

Whittier Street Health Center

Committee

Roxbury, Massachusetts

HYPERTENSION

“Progress is made when multiple

organizations focus on a single goal

rather than each one trying to meet its

own objective.”

“Instead of carbonated soda machines, we

now have a dentist chair in school. More

people are gardening, walking, and riding

bikes and line dancing as a result of this

program.”

Voices of Detroit Initiative

Detroit, Michigan

HYPERTENSION

DIABETES

“It’s not inevitable that you’re going to be

diabetic or have high blood pressure

because members of your family do.

Residents are beginning to see that they

have some control over their health.”

Taos Health Systems

Holy Cross Hospital

Taos, New Mexico

CHILDHOOD INJURIES

“When we initially started community

events were yielding probably about 20 to

25 community members. Now our largest

event brought in around 340 community

members.”

“The hospital’s investment in the clinic has

sent a positive message to the community

and helped turn around some of the sense

that the hospital’s just this big institution.”

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Cleveland, Ohio

ADOLESCENT HEALTH

“A large community event can create a

sense of social cohesion that helps people

feel supported in their community and by

each other.”

“Our seniors and our youth come together

for activities like clean-ups and community

gardens.”

Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton

Comprehensive Health

Services

Ridgeland, South Carolina

HYPERTENSION

“In this community, churches form a primary

social unit. To get so many churches to

come together to improve health is really a

major step.”

“The neighborhood association now

understands that things like economic

development, gardening and capacity

building impact people’s health.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

kresge.org