The BUILD Health Challenge, a collaboration of several healthcare-focused foundations, has awarded grants to 18 projects that aim to use data-driven approaches to address social and environmental factors with the goal of improving health in low-income communities.
BUILD, an acronym for Bold, Upstream, Integrated, Local, and Data-Driven, is an effort founded by The Advisory Board Company, the de Beaumont Foundation, the Colorado Health Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Seven implementation awardees received $250,000 over two years to strengthen existing partnerships, jump-start more advanced health data and analytics initiatives, and expand their impact. Eleven planning awardees received $75,000 to kick-start still-nascent projects. The partnering health system or systems on each implementation award have also committed a 1:1 match with financial and in-kind support to advance the partnership’s goals.
Here are the implementation awardees and participating health systems:
The Healthy Ontario Initiative of Ontario, Calif., will improve access to healthy, affordable food and safe places to be active in order to reduce high rates of obesity and obesity-related diseases. Led by Partners for Better Health, County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health, and San Antonio Regional Hospital.
Engaging the Community in New Approaches to Healthy Housing of Cleveland, Ohio, will remediate substandard housing in the Brooklyn Center neighborhood to curb lead poisoning, asthma, and heart disease. Led by Environmental Health Watch, Cleveland Department of Public Health, and The MetroHealth System.
Healthy Homes East Bank of Des Moines, Iowa, will collaborate to reduce asthma-related hospital visits by improving social and environmental factors in East Bank neighborhoods. Led by Polk County Housing Trust Fund, Polk County Health Department, Broadlawns Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, and UnityPoint Health.
In Albuquerque, N.M., Addressing Healthcare’s Blindside in Albuquerque’s South Side will expand access to healthy food and equip healthcare providers to refer patients to a service hub to address social and economic needs of community members in Albuquerque’s Southeast Heights and South Valley neighborhoods. Led by Adelante Development Center, Bernalillo County Office of Health and Social Services, and Presbyterian Healthcare Services.
The Bronx Healthy Buildings Program of Bronx, N.Y., will improve housing conditions and energy efficiency for low-income residents in five Bronx neighborhoods to address high rates of asthma and preventable hospitalizations. Led by Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Montefiore Medical Center.
Improving Health through a Sustainable Food System of Pasadena, Texas, will develop a community-supported food system to reduce obesity and improve obesity-related health outcomes. Led by Houston Food Bank, Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, CHI St. Luke’s Health, and Memorial Hermann Health System.
San Pablo Area Revitalization Collaborative of San Pablo, Calif., will promote economic development and reduce health disparities in West Oakland. Led by East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, Alameda County Public Health Department, and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.
The BUILD Health Challenge Planning Grant Awardees:
In Los Angeles, Calif., Youth Driven Healthy South Los Angeles will develop a plan to engage youth leaders to create a community with healthy food and inviting urban spaces while engaging promising area youth in leadership development to foster a sustained movement towards health, safety, and wellness. Led by National Health Foundation, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and California Medical Center.
Increasing Access to Behavioral Health Screening and Support in Aurora of Aurora, Colo., will help connect families to a network of both clinical and community-based resources to address needs. Led by Together Colorado, Tri-County Health Department, and Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Project ACCESS (Assessment and Community Collaboration to Engage and Strengthen Southeast Colorado Springs) of Colorado Springs, Colo., will assess health data and research, engage community members, and mobilize the community to improve neighborhood safety and reduce violence. Led by YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region, El Paso County Public Health, and Penrose-St. Francis Health Services.
Health Forward/Salud Adelante of Chicago, Ill., will integrate legal, medical, and public health services to improve the health of the immigrant population in the New City and East Garfield Park neighborhoods. Led by Legal Assistance Foundation, Chicago Department of Public Health, and Cook County Health and Hospital System.
Northeast Denver Unified of Denver, Colo., will develop solutions to the social, environmental, and economic factors that have the greatest impact on child health and wellness. Led by The Civic Canopy, Denver Public Health, and Denver Health’s Community Health Services.
Healing Together: Preventing Youth Violence in Upton/Druid Heights of Baltimore, Md., will develop a comprehensive youth violence prevention plan for the Druid Hill and Upton Heights neighborhoods. Led by Druid Heights Community Development Center, Baltimore City Health Department, and R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Healthy Hill Initiative of Springfield, Mass., will improve public safety and spur economic development in the Old Hill neighborhood. Led by HAPHousing, Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, Baystate Health System, and Sisters of Providence Health System.
Chandler Park Healthy Neighborhood Strategy of Detroit, Mich., will revitalize the blighted neighborhoods surrounding Chandler Park to create job opportunities, improve access to healthy food, strengthen transit infrastructure, and reduce crime. Led by Eastside Community Network, Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, and St. John Providence Health System – Community Health Investment Corporation.
Seattle Chinatown-International District Healthy of Seattle, Wash., will develop a plan to improve economic development and housing in the city’s International District. Led by InterIm Community Development Association, Public Health Seattle and King County, and Swedish Medical Center.
In Portland, Ore., BUILDing Health and Equity in East Portland will work to reduce health disparities in East Portland by expanding access to affordable housing, green spaces, and healthy food. Led by Oregon Public Health Institute, Multnomah County Health Department, Providence Health and Services, Kaiser Permanente NW, Legacy Health, and Adventist Health.
Building a Healthy and Resilient Liberty City of Liberty City, Fla., will collaborate to reduce violence and more effectively assist trauma victims in their recovery in the Liberty City neighborhood. Led by Florida Institute for Health Innovation, Florida Department of Health – Miami-Dade County, and Jackson Health System.
In partnership with the awardees, the BUILD Health Challenge will also identify and disseminate the most promising models of population health improvement to stimulate these kinds of initiatives in other communities.
