As president of United Health Foundation, I am guided by a singular passion to make a difference and to help create a brighter future for us all. The Foundation has many separate activities that support this goal, and nothing makes me happier than when our various initiatives come together to form a whole that’s more powerful than the separate parts.
On June 28, 2012, I was thrilled to see this happen when 73 students from across the country came together to use America’s Health Rankings® as a tool to better understand the health needs of their states and regions. The students were all participating in United Health Foundation’s 4th annual Diverse Scholars Forum in Washington, D.C., which brings together individuals from ethnic and racial minorities who are pursuing health careers.
Watching our scholarship recipients dive into America’s Health Rankings was nothing short of inspirational. It was a moment of true synergy as our work with America’s Health Rankings dovetailed with the Foundation’s previously separate Diverse Scholars Initiative.
During the workshop – which was themed “Fostering a Healthy Future: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Health Care Needs” – the scholars used America’s Health Rankings to answer the following questions, which I think can serve as fodder for anybody seeking to put the Rankings to use:
What factors could be contributing to this population’s most pressing health issue(s)?
What are some ways that the state’s health challenges could be addressed? Think about solutions that apply to prevention of the problem and to management/treatment of those already affected.
How should those solutions be specifically tailored to a population’s demographics?
Will some solutions work for everyone?
Will other solutions definitely not work with a specific group?
What role does each member of the health community play in your solutions?
- A health care provider?
- A government official?
- A school administrator?
- A public health department employee?
- An employer?
- A local non-profit?
When you think about this state and its health challenges, what questions and thoughts does this raise about your own career?
What is one thing you personally will do to address the health of your community when you return home or back to school?
Following the event, several scholars told me about how they hoped to take their learnings home with them and how they intended to share what they’ve learned with others as they become greater advocates for community-based health efforts.
If these impressive students are any indication of the future of our health system, then I’m happy to report that we are in very good hands.