“There is no health equity funding being given to us, but nearly every proposal or grant we receive mentions health disparities.” “Where is the funding for doing this kind of work?” observed Ana Novais, executive director of health in Rhode Island’s Department of Health. When those initial projects proved successful, they took stock of their funding sources and looked for opportunities to divest from disease-specific funding sources and invest instead in more community-focused funding.Īna Novais, executive director of health in Rhode Island’s Department of Health The department first tested its innovative, collaborative approach through integrated projects, such as bringing together staff from diabetes, obesity, and maternal and child health programs and recruiting community partners to work on a shared initiative. Their solution: braided funding from a number of sources to help realign staff, break down organizational silos, and promote cross-sector collaboration. In response, Department of Health officials doubled down on their commitment to address health disparities and improve the social factors that directly affect health, such as housing and nutrition.Īt the same time, they understood they needed a new financial approach to support their growing focus on improving health and health equity and reducing obstacles such as poverty, discrimination, poor education, and unsafe environments. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy People 2010 report, they realized their children’s generation could face a shorter life expectancy than their own unless they changed their approach to public health.

When Rhode Island health policymakers read the U.S. Chronic Disease Prevention and Management.Primary Care/Patient-Centered/Health Home.Integrated for Pregnant/Parenting Women.Healthy Child Development State Resource Center.Physical and Behavioral Health Integration.The RAISE Family Caregiver Resource and Dissemination Center.Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.

Braid society fill the gap