This slideshow was prepared as part of a panel discussion for the American Public Health Association’s national conference, November 2014, in New Orleans. The subject was The Kresge Foundation’s Safety-Net Enhancement Initiative, a multiyear effort undertaken in eight communities across the U.S. (Kresge photos by Lon Horwedel)

1. Strengthening
Community Connectivity
KEY STRATEGIES TO REDUCE HEALTH
IN EQU ITIES

2. Presentation material prepared
as part of a panel discussion
for the American Public Health
Association’s national conference,
November 2014, in New Orleans.
The subject was The Kresge
Foundation’s Safety Net
Enhancement Initiative, a multi-
year effort undertaken in eight
communities across the U.S.

3. Safety-Net
Enhancement Initiative
Voices of the community

4. North County Healthcare
Flagstaff, Arizona
CHILDHOOD OBESITY

7. “People are socializing in our exercise
groups. They’ve brought about a healthy
change and are something people look
forward to.”

9. “Incremental changes lead to big health
changes down the line. Our project is part
of what’s planting the seeds of health in
our community.”

10. Alameda County Public Health
Department
Oakland, California
ADULT OBESITY

12. “If we were still in our silos, the healthcare
people would be looking for ways to treat
the next generation of diabetics… and
public safety would be putting people in
jail – and letting someone else worry
about the rest.”

14. “We’ve definitely improved the amount of
produce that women and their families are
eating because of produce deliveries.”

16. Kokua Kalihi Valley
Comprehensive Family
Services
Honolulu, Hawaii
DIABETES

19. “Changing demographics are a challenge
when we’re trying to build community and a
sense of connectedness and belonging.”

21. “When the process has hit bumps there’s
been open dialogue about how to improve
it. It’s been a constant re-evaluation.”

22. Whittier Street Health Center
Committee
Roxbury, Massachusetts
HYPERTENSION

25. “Progress is made when multiple
organizations focus on a single goal
rather than each one trying to meet its
own objective.”

27. “Instead of carbonated soda machines, we
now have a dentist chair in school. More
people are gardening, walking, and riding
bikes and line dancing as a result of this
program.”

28. Voices of Detroit Initiative
Detroit, Michigan
HYPERTENSION
DIABETES

31. “It’s not inevitable that you’re going to be
diabetic or have high blood pressure
because members of your family do.
Residents are beginning to see that they
have some control over their health.”

33. Taos Health Systems
Holy Cross Hospital
Taos, New Mexico
CHILDHOOD INJURIES

35. “When we initially started community
events were yielding probably about 20 to
25 community members. Now our largest
event brought in around 340 community
members.”

38. “The hospital’s investment in the clinic has
sent a positive message to the community
and helped turn around some of the sense
that the hospital’s just this big institution.”

39. Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, Ohio
ADOLESCENT HEALTH

41. “A large community event can create a
sense of social cohesion that helps people
feel supported in their community and by
each other.”

43. “Our seniors and our youth come together
for activities like clean-ups and community
gardens.”

45. Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton
Comprehensive Health
Services
Ridgeland, South Carolina
HYPERTENSION

47. “In this community, churches form a primary
social unit. To get so many churches to
come together to improve health is really a
major step.”

50. “The neighborhood association now
understands that things like economic
development, gardening and capacity
building impact people’s health.”

51. FOR MORE INFORMATION:
kresge.org