HEALTH

District Organizations Gain Resources to Address Health Disparities

Greater Washington Community Foundation Grants Millions Towards Health Equity

By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Writer

Another round of extensive funding is coming down the pike to local organizations supporting some of the District's most financially vulnerable residents. The Heath Equity Fund (HEF), in conjunction with Greater Washington Community Foundation (GWCF), is disbursing grant funding over five years to facilitate health equity and positive health outcomes for residents throughout the District of Columbia.

GWCF, a community cornerstone that connects concerned donors with nonprofits working to combat poor health outcomes, understands just how impactful socioeconomic disparities weigh on the overall well-being of individuals and families by large. The disheartening adversity faced by factions of residents inspired greater reason to allocate an initial amount of $9.2 million through the HEF, to help remedy the many crises that contribute to greater health disparities.

“Mindful that health and wealth are inextricably linked, the HEF’s first round of grants is boldly investing in economic mobility and wealth building in D.C.’s historically underinvested communities,”said GWCF’s President and CEO Tonia Wellons. “Achieving this vision puts our city on a trajectory to improve and achieve optimal health outcomes for all D.C. residents.”

According to the Health Equity Summary Report for the District of Columbia (2018), 80% of the District’s health outcomes are driven by economic, social, and several other factors, compared to only 20% of health outcomes stemming from clinical care. With a current poverty rate of 17.48% as reported by World Population Review, the consequences of socioeconomic disparities are concentrated in greater quantities of households residing in the eastern wards of the city, southwest Prince George’s County, and pockets of northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryand. Hardships including homelessness, food insecurity, income, and employment play major roles in the causes and increase in serious health issues. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5 Leaders from the Greater Washington Community Foundation, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the DC Health Equity Committee and the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking announced more than $12.5 million in grants from the Health Equity Fund to 14 DC-Area organizations working to advance health advocacy, policy, and systems change on June 13. (Courtesy photo/Robert Ambrose-The Greater Washington Community Foundation)