The Colorado Trust Shifts Focus to Achieving Health Equity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:  Julian Kesner, Director of Communications
303-539-3147; [email protected]

DENVER, COLO.—The Colorado Trust, a statewide health foundation, announced today that it is shifting its focus to achieving health equity for all Coloradans.

“The Colorado Trust has a long-standing commitment to all Coloradans, particularly individuals and families who are most vulnerable,” said Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, President and CEO, The Colorado Trust. “We believe all Coloradans should have fair and equal opportunities to lead healthy, productive lives regardless of race, ethnicity, income or where we live. Partnering with communities, we can advance fair opportunities for all Coloradans to be healthy.”

Last year, The Colorado Trust undertook an environmental scan to engage community members and learn more about the extent to which health inequity affects access to health in Colorado. More than 1,000 Coloradans participated through nearly 30 community engagement events, multiple key informant interviews, focus groups and a statewide survey. Through the scan, The Colorado Trust learned that 57 percent of Coloradans believe that there are differences in health care that people receive, based solely on their race, ethnicity, income or where they live.

“Whether you look at income gaps, infant mortality rates or life expectancy, racial, ethnic, low-income and other vulnerable populations face barriers to health,” said Calonge. “We understand that our greatest service is to lend a helping hand to those who are most in need, strengthening their ability to make healthy choices.”

The Colorado Trust will partner with communities, foundations, nonprofit organizations and others on the following issue areas:

• Policy and Advocacy – advancing health equity policy solutions through a field-building approach.
• Data and Information – monitoring inequities in health outcomes and social determinants through data collection and analysis to inform stakeholders and advance health equity.
• Community-based Participatory Grantmaking – addressing health equity in partnership with communities throughout Colorado.

“With the passing of the Affordable Care Act, opportunities to get health insurance will continue to improve,” said Calonge. “Not everyone will be covered or able to access care. We know that good health requires much more than medical care. Where we live, learn, work and play has a greater impact than medical care on how healthy we are and how long we live.”

Partnering with communities, The Colorado Trust will increase opportunities for all Coloradans to make healthy choices and lead productive lives.

New grant strategies and funding opportunities will begin in early 2014. Sign up to receive notification of future opportunities.

To learn more about health equity and The Colorado Trust, visit www.coloradotrust.org.

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