Healthy Neighbors, Healthy You: Kaiser Permanente Invests $14.2 Million to Support Community Health

In his 1974 book, A History of Public Health in New York City, 1866-1966, historian John Duffy posited that the infant milk stations established in New York City in 1901 marked the beginning of the community health center (CHC) in the United States.[1] With the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) reporting the total number of medically disenfranchised people at around 60 million, such centers are more vital than ever to protect the public health.[2]

But CHCs provide more than just medical care; they help keep health care costs down for everyone. "Community health centers are well placed to help the nation achieve...[the] dual goals set out at the beginning of the health care debate—expand coverage for nearly all Americans and rein in out of control health care costs," argues Ellen-Marie Whelan, the Associate Director of Health Policy and Senior Health Policy Analyst at the Center for American Progress.[3]

KAISER PERMANENTE: INVESTING IN HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

Now, over 500 community organizations across the United States—and the thousands of people that they serve—are getting a well-deserved boost, with health care provider Kaiser Permanente's recent announcement of $14.2 million in grant funding during the second quarter of 2012. The grants were awarded to support distinct areas, such as the promotion of healthy communities, expanding health care access and knowledge dissemination.

Click here to continue reading and comment

Reynard is a Justmeans staff writer for Sustainable Finance and Corporate Social Responsibility. A former media executive with 15 years experience in the private and non-profit sectors, Reynard is the co-founder of MomenTech, a New York-based experimental production studio that explores transnational progressivism, neo-nomadism, post-humanism and futurism. He is also author of the blog 13.7 Billion Years, covering cosmology, biodiversity, animal welfare, conservation and ethical consumption. He is currently developing the Underground Desert Living Unit (UDLU), a sustainable single-family dwelling envisioned as a potential adaptation response to the future loss of human habitat due to the effects of anthropogenic climate change. Reynard is also a contributing author of "Biomes and Ecosystems," a comprehensive reference encyclopedia of the Earth's key biological and geographic classifications, to be published by Salem Press in 2013.