Building healthy communities by addressing root causes
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. While the U.S. has focused on improving access to healthcare, research shows that improving population health and achieving health equity is equally important. Read how CHC is building healthy communities by addressing these root causes.
Learn how we’re leading the SDOH effort from past events, interviews and blogs from SDOH experts:
The Crucial Role of Black Doulas in Maternal Health
The Crucial Role of Black Doulas in Maternal Health By: Valerie Rochester, CHC Chief Health Equity Officer At CHC, we recognize that true progress and change begin with listening to and centering the experiences of those most impacted by systemic inequities and injustices. For supporting Black maternal health outcomes, a viable and supported Black [...]
MetroHealth develops diverse healthcare leaders through nation’s first high school inside a hospital
MetroHealth develops diverse healthcare leaders through nation’s first high school inside a hospital In 2016, MetroHealth and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District opened the Lincoln-West School of Science & Health, the nation’s first high school located inside a hospital. The year-round school focuses on modern science, health and medicine. Students are immersed inside the vibrant [...]
Reaffirming Our Commitment to Achieving Equity
Reaffirming Our Commitment to Achieving Equity By Valerie Rochester, Chief Health Equity Officer, CHC My travels to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to attend the 2022 US Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) were both reinvigorating and reaffirming. As a long-term participant in the struggle to reduce the rates of new HIV infections in the US, particularly within [...]
Supporting Health Equity for National Breastfeeding Month
Supporting Health Equity for National Breastfeeding Month Did you know that August is National Breastfeeding Month? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed or chest-fed for about the first six months, with continued feeding while introducing appropriate complementary foods for one year or longer. Unfortunately, many mothers and birthing people [...]
Partnering for Healthy Moms, Babies and Communities in Atlanta
Partnering for Healthy Moms, Babies and Communities in Atlanta CHC and The Center for Black Women's Wellness, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia, and SisterLove hosted a week of 10 impactful discussions in Atlanta to better understand the barriers to Black women receiving respectful maternal healthcare and the pivotal roles of doulas, community health [...]
Community Conversations in Cleveland Continue to Advance Black Birthing Outcomes
Community Conversations in Cleveland Continue to Advance Black Birthing Outcomes In June, CHC and partners Birthing Beautiful Communities, Village of Healing, and Pregnant with Possibilities, held three more focus group conversations with birthing partners and listening sessions with pregnant and postpartum women in Cleveland as part of CHC’s maternal health partnership with Elevance Health Foundation. Partners shared their intentional and compassionate work [...]
Hilti AfterShock
Hilti AfterShock In July, Hilti partnered with CHC to address the Black maternal health crisis and reduce preterm births. Hilti employees and their families built 1,000 Healthier Moms Kits, plus Hilti hosted a live screening of the powerful documentary, AfterShock, the journey of two bereaved families who galvanize activists, birth workers and others. Hilti also hosted a panel [...]
How Two Inspiring Human Rights Legends Inspired Me
How Two Inspiring Human Rights Legends Inspired Me By: Valerie Rochester, Chief Health Equity Officer, CHC: Creating Healthier Communities As we all learned of the loss of two cultural and human rights icons this past weekend, I had to stop and reflect on the impact of their lives and their passion for justice on [...]
The Future of Health Equity in Cleveland
The Future of Health Equity in Cleveland On Wednesday, May 18th, 2022, CHC held the latest “Future of Health Equity” convening in Cleveland Ohio. View video highlights, program, photo gallery, and Dr. Misak’s slides. Recap: CHC’s Chief Health Equity Officer Valerie L. Rochester welcomed guests and set the stage. CHC re-convened key stakeholders [...]
Two Steps We Can Take Now To Make Health Equity A Lasting Movement
Two Steps We Can Take Now To Make Health Equity A Lasting Movement By: Thomas G. Bognanno, President and CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities , Written for Forbes.com Most would agree that the opportunity to be healthy and well is a basic human right. Where the complications arise are in the varying beliefs on [...]
