CHC: Creating Healthier Communities

Happy 4th of July! CHC's offices are closed today. We wish you a safe holiday celebrating our freedom with family and friends. ❤️🤍💙

Our mission at CHC is to ensure that every person in every community can live their longest, healthiest life. At U.S. News & World Report's 'State of Equity in America' event, our CEO Jean C. Accius, PhD, NACD.DC spoke about how CHC's work to break down barriers to good health within communities hinges on centering the communities we serve, keeping them in the driver's seat to create deeply impactful and sustainable change. #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #CommunityHealth #CommunityEmpowerment

Mental health and wellbeing is vital, but the stigma attached to it often discourages people from seeking the help they need. Join the Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria with CHC CEO Jean C. Accius, PhD, NACD.DC and Christian Bentley to explore strategies to deal with #mentalhealth stigma this weekend. Watch at http://STEMCityUSA.com.

We were honored to have a booth in Indiana Black Expo, Inc.'s Exhibition Hall over the weekend! We connected with expecting parents and families, while uplifting CHC's Black Birthing Initiative needs assessment survey over three community, education, and awareness-centered days. As we continue our work to improve maternal health outcomes in Indianapolis, we're excited to affect change and be part of more community-focused events. #MaternalHealth #BlackMaternalHealth

"Your zip code should not be a death sentence." Our president & CEO talks about our work and the importance of believing the data, building partnerships and developing healthier communities. CHC’s Jean C. Accius, PhD, NACD.DC, spoke at the recent U.S. News & World Report event, The State of Equity in America, in Washington, DC. The thought-provoking discussion on the current state of #equity in America brought together thought leaders from business, government, health, education and other sectors for a day of solutions-oriented dialogue. Accius spoke on a panel – “Diversity Diagnosis: How Fair or How Healthy Is the Nation’s Health System?” – examining the opportunities for a more equitable system and the barriers that persist for optimal health across communities. The panel also included Ceci Connolly, President and CEO, Alliance of Community Health Plans, and Richard E. Besser, M.D., President and CEO, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. https://lnkd.in/eeeMRKXG

The first year of CHC's Breast and Cervical Cancer Initiative (BCCI), a collaborative health equity effort, saw impressive results, including increased clinical services by 137%, expanded community engagement by 127%, and the development of critical partnerships aimed at enhancing the breast and cervical cancer care continuum. In Atlanta, Black women are 39% more likely to die from breast cancer and Hispanic women are 30% more likely to die from cervical cancer than women of other races/ethnicities. CHC expects to create a scalable model that can continue to better serve Black and Latine women and lead to better health outcomes, reduced medical costs and more healthy years for Georgians. It's an honor to work with our grantees, the Center for Black Women’s Wellness (CBWW), Feminist Women’s Health Centers (FWHC), and My Style Matters Inc., as well in collaborations in the community. #Georgia #healthequity #cancercare https://lnkd.in/e_YD6bMp

Congratulations to Kevin Clayton on this well-deserved promotion! Clayton is a past-chair of CHC's Board of Directors and was instrumental in the organization's transformational #healthequity journey. He also committed to additional service on our board to help CHC identify our current President and CEO, Jean Accius, following Thomas G. Bognanno's retirement announcement. We wish him the best in his new role!

"What did you do in the last 30 years, or 27 years? And imagine if you didn't have (those years). Does that seem fair to you?" CHC’s Jean C. Accius, PhD, NACD.DC, spoke at a recent U.S. News & World Report event in Washington, DC. He called for measures to close the gaps in life expectancy that represent lost opportunities for families and communities. "The State of Equity in America" was a thought-provoking discussion that brought together thought leaders from business, government, health, education and other sectors for a day of solutions-oriented dialogue. Accius spoke on a panel – “Diversity Diagnosis: How Fair or How Healthy Is the Nation’s Health System?” – examining the opportunities for a more equitable system and the barriers that persist for optimal health across communities. The panel also included Ceci Connolly, President and CEO, Alliance of Community Health Plans, and Richard E. Besser, M.D., President and CEO, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This conversation is particularly timely as life expectancy in the U.S. still remains below pre-pandemic levels. Watch more at https://lnkd.in/eeeMRKXG

"Centuries of slavery and subsequent segregation have left a deep imprint on the health outcomes of Black Americans. Studies consistently reveal higher rates of preventable chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, among people in these communities. Looking beyond the root causes of these health inequities and disparities – and examining the “causes of the causes” is crucial for crafting effective strategies and interventions to decrease the impact of the social drivers of health that are negatively impacting our Black communities. At CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, we know and operate on the principle that people living in the communities most affected by health disparities are central to identifying and crafting those solutions." In recognition of Juneteenth, CHC offices are closed today. Please take a moment to connect with this thoughtful post by CHC's Valerie Rochester. https://lnkd.in/eVurzAZP

Juneteenth holds special significance for Black people across the U.S. It not only represents the symbolic milestone in the journey toward freedom for many enslaved persons; but over the years it has become known as a celebration of the culture and achievements of Black Americans, and more importantly of the resilience of people in Black communities. CHC's Valerie Rochester calls for a day of reflection and commitment to act towards a future where everyone has the opportunity to achieve optimal health and well-being. #juneteenth #healthequity https://lnkd.in/eVurzAZP