Access to health
Good health is the cornerstone to a better life. It influences everything — from a child’s academic performance to an adult’s earning potential.
Access to nutritious food, health care services and health insurance are essential to good health. At United Way of Greater Stark County, we’re working to create healthy systems and environments that support healthy lifestyles for our community members.
To positively impact our community, we need your help. Join the fight, and together, we can ensure a healthier future for Stark and Carroll Counties.
OUR VISION
We envision a community where individuals and families have access to healthcare and improve their health.
COMMUNITY CHALLENGES
Many Stark and Carroll County residents
face ongoing educational challenges
the research tells us
How we invest in solutions
why it matters
We are creating healthy systems and environments
to promote healthy lifestyles for all ages.
- Increase health insurance and health care access
- Improve access to healthy food and nutrition programs
- Provide information and resources for prenatal care
Improved access to health strategies through:
- Healthy beginnings – predominantly addresses 21 and under
- Healthy lives – predominantly addresses 22 and older
Poor nutrition contributes to many of our community’s greatest health challenges including heart disease, diabetes, obesity and infant mortality.
Lack of health insurance coverage is a significant barrier to accessing healthcare services. People without health insurance are less likely to have a primary care doctor and are more likely to go without care because of cost. Therefore, they often receive less preventative care, dental care, chronic disease management and behavioral health counseling.
Limited access to healthcare services can result in reduced health outcomes and potentially unnecessary complications, including premature death.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Indicators
- Number of individuals served participating in healthy food access and nutrition programs
- Number of individuals served with access to healthcare services and supports
- Number of individuals enrolled or reenrolled in healthcare insurance
outcomes
- Healthier BMIs: The percentage of children and adults served who have increased their consumption of fruit or vegetables, and/or moved toward a healthy weight (BMI)
- Better birth outcomes: Percent of babies served who experience healthy birth outcomes, including carried to full term, born at a healthy weight, and/or celebrate their 1st birthday
- Reduced risky behaviors: Percent of youth/adults served who avoid or reduce risky health behaviors such as drug or alcohol abuse, nicotine and tobacco use, unprotected sexual activity or teen pregnancy, mental health crisis or suicide attempt