Social drivers of health (SDOH), including environmental and socioeconomic factors, influence 80% of a person’s health.1 In order to support SDOH needs and improve equitable access to care, UnitedHealthcare has awarded $850,000 in Empowering Health grants to four local organizations serving Colorado. The four grant recipients are bringing local solutions to food insecurity and improve access to behavioral health care:
- We Don’t Waste received $300,000 to expand access to nutritious food through mobile distributions in neighborhoods with limited access to fresh food.
- Focus Points Family Resource Center received $100,000 to support its’ farmers market, nutrition education programs and urban farming program that trains individuals in agriculture and entrepreneurship.
- WellPower received $300,000 to bring Mental Health First Aid trainings to students, teachers and faculty in public schools.
- Denver Area Youth Services received $150,000 to increase access to home-based behavioral health services supporting children and their caregivers.
UnitedHealthcare established Empowering Health grants in 2018 with the goal of expanding access to care and addressing SDOH for people in underserved communities in collaboration with local non-profit organizations. To date, the Empowering Health program has contributed more than $62 million in grants impacting 11 million people in 30 states nationwide.
Rocky Mountain Health Plans, a UnitedHealthcare company, has also invested over $10 million over the past three years, aimed at building healthier communities in Colorado. These investments have focused on addressing social drivers of health, advancing health equity, strengthening access to behavioral health services, and supporting primary care providers. The programs supported by the recent Empowering Health grants reinforce United Healthcare and Rocky Mountain Health Plans’ commitment to community-led solutions that close gaps in SDOH needs and improve local health outcomes.
