A brief overview of the Providence Institute for a Healthier Community, with Scott Forslund, Executive Director. See what this new entity is working on and how they hope to change the health of Snohomish County, through the promotion of a community based view of vibrant health.

1. Scott Forslund, Executive Director
Providence Institute for a Healthier Community

2. Creating Healthier Communities, Together
•A brief introduction to the
•Providence Institute for a Healthier Community

3. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity.
- World Health Organization, 1948
What is health?

4. Where does health happen?

5. A partnership between Providence, the Snohomish County Health Leadership Coalition, business,
government, non-profits, and the people of Snohomish county.
Its aim: find the ways and facilitate the behavior for all of us in the community to improve our
health.
The benefit to the individual will be to live a longer, healthier, happier life.
The benefit to the community will be to become the healthiest community in the country with the
lowest healthcare costs, so we can invest more of our resources in what matters.
What is
the Institute?

6. Providence
Northwest Region
Providence
Medical Group
Providence
Regional Medical
Center Everett
Accountable Care
Organization
Providence Institute
for a Healthier
Community
Other
Partners
Providence’s Expanding Market Product Line Portfolio
Traditional focus:
• Community service through the delivery of health care services
Recognized need for expanded focus/new equation:
• Greater role in financing of health care
• Greater role in community health
• Being a source of information, inspiration & expanded community
partnerships
How is it connected
to Providence?

7. http://almanac.fightchronicdisease.org/Chapters/ChapterFive
• Our health and well-being
are at stake.
• A disproportionate amount
of our dollars go to treat
chronic conditions that are
preventable with better
health habits.
• Medical care alone cannot
create health & well-being.
Why is this needed?

8. Stable housing
Access to adequate nutrition
Income
Environment
Education
Lack of social isolation
Volunteerism
Clinical Care Lifestyle Choices
Social Determinants
After accounting for genetics
Source: Wisconsin Population Health Institute
So what predicts a longer,
healthier life?

9. Why we seek
a new equation
Running more efficient, less costly hospitals and clinics is not the entire
answer.
Nor is coming up with new kinds of health coverage plans.
The most impact will come by moving upstream: changing the health
behavior of individuals.
Consumers Insurance Company Hospital

10. It takes
a village
Institute statement of purpose:
Healthier body,
Healthier relationships,
Healthier communities.
Created together.
10

11. Experience
What’s our game plan?
Providence NWR founded the Providence Institute for a Healthier
Community in 2015 to accomplish these goals:
1. Make a tangible, measurable difference in the health of the people of Snohomish County.
2. Focus upstream and downstream of conventional medical care – which is where
most of our health happens (or doesn’t)
3. Create innovative partnerships with business, government, education, non-profits, faith
groups, and residents, where Providence need not be the dominant player.
4. Use the Institute, as one means by which to develop a new and sustainable business model making
our county the healthiest place to live and work.
5. Create a successful model for partnerships that can be transported to other
communities where Providence has ministries.

12. Who do we
hope to reach?
Initially, four distinct audiences:
1. Snohomish County Residents: We’re most interested in reaching the population
at large, especially those at risk for unhealthy habits
2. Employers and Workforce: Area employers of all sizes and their employees (this
would include Providence, as well)
3. Partner Organizations: Non-profits, business, healthcare organizations,
government, schools, universities, and faith and community groups
4. Specialized Audiences: Youth, high-acuity patients, homeless, multicultural families,
and other vulnerable people

13. How will this happen?
Center for Health
Priorities & Progress
Center for Health
Education & Healing
Center for Workforce
Health & Productivity
Center for Community
Health Transformation
Focus: Targeted, innovative community partnerships
based on a common agenda & shared metrics to
improve population health.
Focus: productivity & competitiveness through
innovative employer wellness tools and resources,
and best business practices.
Focus: Listening deeply. Allow individuals
(not health systems) to define health &
wellbeing on their own terms. Track progress.
Focus: co-creating with community
partners a clearinghouse of relevant
tools and resources to optimize health.

14. “RESPOND TO THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES AND REACH OUT TO OTHERS”
“Stewardship of the resources of Providence, our communities, and our society require that we work with
others to find new ways to advocate more effectively for the poor and
to meet their needs and avoid wasteful duplication. We expect Providence Ministries
to search for new ways to carry out the Mission, honoring
tradition, but not letting past practice constrict the vision
of what is best for the future. Changing needs, social
structures and institutions will require new and different
responses. We expect that you will be open to the call of those who suffer by
addressing emerging needs with wise and discerning responses so the poor and
vulnerable may be served in new and more effective ways.”
“Hopes and Aspirations for
Providence Ministries”
From the
Sisters of Providence,
Mother Joseph Province
Dec. 31, 2009
Fidelity to the Providence Mission