The places we receive health care can impact our health and well-being. They can promote healthy living for staff and patients, as well as support places in becoming a Healthy HotSpot. Read on to find out about the innovative action that Trinity Health has taken to improve community health; AgeOptions’ efforts to advance clinical-community linkages; and how a local hospital is changing the environment to support cardiovascular health among South Asians.

Trinity Health takes innovative action and invests in community health

Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) is a collaborative funding and technical assistance initiative established by Trinity Health to support evidence-based, innovative solutions for policy, systems and environmental changes to reduce obesity, promote tobacco-free living and address social determinants that impact current and future health outcomes. TCI leverages health system funding, identified health needs from community assessments, community partnerships, local match dollars, and technical resources to improve community health.

Proviso Partners for Health (PP4H) is one of six grant recipients of TCI in which community investments are supporting pathways to training and careers in the green economy, implementation of nutrition programs and efforts to address lung health needs of west suburban communities in Proviso Township. PP4H collaborates with Loyola University Health System and more than 25 committed schools, childcare centers, social service organizations, businesses and government agencies. For more information and to get involved, contact Lena Hatchett. Learn more >>

Community links to clinics aim to increase access to evidence-based health education

Pathways to Health is a clinical community referral system increasing access to preventative health education. AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging for suburban Cook County, has created an innovative system which connects evidence-based Take Charge of Your Health programs to clinical partners like JenCare, a chain of senior medical care clinics. Take Charge of Your Health is the Illinois name for the Stanford University Chronic Disease and Diabetes Self-Management program. The program has a proven track record of improving patients’ ability to self-manage ongoing health conditions. To become a clinical partner, contact Maria D. Oquendo-Scharneck Learn more >>

South Asian Cardiovascular Center at Advocate Heart Institute reduces sodium

The South Asian Cardiovascular Center (SACC) at Advocate Heart Institute has combined culturally sensitive clinical care with outreach, education and nutritional changes in restaurants to reduce the 4 times greater risk of heart disease in the South Asian community. SACC, in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Public Health, launched the South Asian Healthy Eating Benefits initiative (SAHEB) in 2015, partnering with restaurants to reduce the sodium content and saturated fat in popular dishes. As part of SAHEB, a SACC dietician trained the restaurant chefs, which resulted in a 22.7% reduction in sodium. The SACC is presently working with six additional South Asian restaurants in Chicago and Schaumburg Township. For more information, contact Paula Bessler. Learn More >>