EPISCOPAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

Rooted in faith and active in hope, Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF) believes ALL Texans deserve to live a healthy life especially those with the least resources and those who face the most obstacles to health. Were promoting equity by improving health, not just health care in Texas.

Health is much more than seeing a doctor. Access to affordable medical care is vitally important, but its only 20% of what contributes to a persons overall health. The remaining 80% is determined by social and economic status, health behaviors, community safety, physical environment, and much more.

EHF has changed the conversation to reshape the debate around health care to focus on addressing the non-medical drivers of health: factors and conditions outside the heath care system that significantly influence a persons overall health and well-being.

For Texas to fully realize its great potential, all Texans must have the ability to thrive. Equity, specifically health equity is an essential part of that future. From the beginning, EHF has had a long-term commitment to invest in and promote equity in organizations, communities, and initiatives to accelerate a bold vision that all Texans have a just opportunity to live their healthiest lives.

By providing millions of dollars in grants, working with community partners and congregations, and providing important research, EHF promotes equity by supporting solutions that address the underlying causes of poor health in Texas.

EHF has changed the conversation about health, and now we are ready to accelerate this positive change by tackling the unequal and unacceptable health realities faced by Texans with lower incomes, populations of color, and under-resourced communities across the state.

EHFs new Strategic Framework for 2024 2030 demonstrates our belief that whole-person well-being requires addressing non-medical drivers of health and must include integration between three Action Areas: accessible health and health care services, healthy communities, and health-promoting policies at all levels.

In addition, we believe certain health conditions and events serve as warning signs that systems and circumstances need to be improved in Texas. Working in EHFs Action Areas, were focusing on three Priorities for Change: food and nutrition security, maternal health, and diabetes prevention. We believe addressing these priorities is key to real change and can start a ripple effect of good health in Texas.

We invite you to join EHF on this next chapter of our continuing journey. We know we cannot do this work alonenone of us canbut together we can be bold in Igniting Change that leads to individuals and families experiencing improved health in all Texas communities.

With a vision to achieve healthy communities for all by improving health, not just health care, EHFs strategic work has changed the conversation and the way we think about health in Texas:

Government officials, state agencies, health insurance plans, health care providers, and community members recognize the importance of addressing non-medical drivers of health and are taking action to support non-medical, health-related needs.

Community health clinics, health resource centers, and behavioral health providers have increased their services and their reach to low-income and underserved communities.

Congregations and community collaboratives have increased capacity to engage with other partners and those they want to serve to envision and create healthier communities and address upstream barriers to health equity.

Clinics and community-based organizations have strengthened their capacity to provide skills to parents and caregivers to promote healthy early relationships and brain development during a childs first three years.