Our Work

Approach

Our work starts from the premise that changes to the structural, social, and economic conditions that result in poorer health outcomes for certain communities and individuals based on race, ethnicity, geography, education, or economic status are essential.

As such, we strive to recognize and confront the barriers that stand in the way of all people having opportunity for good health, and we prioritize investing in solutions that address the policies, practices, and conditions that if changed will lead to healthier communities and better health for the people living within them.

For us this requires several things, key among them:

• Focusing upstream to address the root causes of poor health.
• Engaging directly with community members to develop, advocate for, and implement strategies to identify and address those root causes.
• Investing in policy, practice, and systems-level solutions, both locally and at the statewide level.
• Developing and/or supporting coalitions of stakeholders working together with shared understanding and purpose.

Areas of Focus

While there are a number of avenues to becoming a state where everyone has an opportunity to be healthy, our focus in this pursuit is centered on the following:

• Access to Care: Every community in North Carolina’s primary and behavioral health needs are served by a talented, engaged, diverse, and robust workforce.
• Early Childhood: Every young child from birth to age five in North Carolina has the opportunity and resources to be healthy and well-prepared for success in school, work, and life.
• Healthy Communities: Every community in North Carolina has the conditions for good health.
• Healthy Food: Everyone in North Carolina has access to healthy food.
• Oral Health: Everyone in North Carolina has access to quality, affordable oral health services.