Trust grantmaking supports efforts to improve health care at the policy, systems, provider and community levels. Our Partnerships for Health Initiative brings together diverse providers – from schools and faith-based organizations to universities and county health departments – to better coordinate the delivery of health services tailored to meet the specific needs of communities. Through this initiative, 13 communities across Colorado have built strong working relationships and created coordinated plans to address identified local health needs in a more systemic manner. The Health Professions initiative strives to increase the number of health professionals in primary health care, mental health care and dental care, as well as pharmacists across Colorado – particularly in rural areas where the need is highest. This initiative has helped to increase the number of health professions education and training programs; over the past two years, more than 1,500 students have participated in Trust-supported health professions programs that offer career exposure, training, clinical rotations, faculty development, mentoring and career counseling.
According to an Institute of Medicine report, evidence suggests that a trend in bias, prejudice and stereotyping on the part of health care providers may contribute to The Colorado Clinical Guidelines Collaborative develops guidelines that help physicians provide consistent care, which results in improved patient outcomes and cost savings. Additionally, 90% of Colorado’s acute care hospitals further strengthened their quality improvement systems to ensure safe patient care through the Colorado 100k Lives Campaign. The Trust-sponsored Colorado program was part of the national 100k Lives Campaign; the campaign has already achieved its goal – more than 3,100 hospitals participated nationwide (62 in Colorado) and successfully reduced inpatient deaths by an estimated 122,000 lives in 18 months through overall improved care. At the policy level, we helped to establish and continue to support the independent, nonprofit Colorado Health Institute which serves as a central information clearinghouse for data resources on state and local health issues, and analyzes health information to inform policy issues related to the state’s overall health and health systems. In 2006, the institute responded to nearly 150 information requests from health policymakers across the state and provided them with information on such issues as the uninsured, Colorado’s health care workforce and safety net, health information technology, access and rural health. |
differences in care.
1 - First Years of Life
2 - Safe, Healthy, Engaged Kids
3- Quality Health Care
4 - Opportunities for All