Colorado Health Institute to Tackle Three Issues Essential to Advancing Health and Equity for Coloradans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Colorado Health Institute has identified three challenges that must be addressed to advance the health of all Coloradans.
“We are changing our approach so we can more directly address the critical issues that will advance health equity in Colorado,” said Michele Lueck, President and CEO of the Colorado Health Institute. “For 20 years, CHI has worked to advance its mission of improving health for all people in our state. Today, we are zeroing in on three challenges we must address to continue fulfilling that mission — climate change, behavioral health, and integrating our systems of care.”
“We work at the policy level, because policies have driven health inequities, and they can play a key role in addressing past and present injustices. Each of these initiatives presents an opportunity to build a more equitable world by thinking and working differently to improve health and social factors for all Coloradans.”
Integrating Systems of Care — Social, human, and health services that are integrated can improve people’s health outcomes far more than one element alone. Yet our systems continue to be antiquated and fragmented. CHI will play a significant role in integrating community-based services with medical care. Remaking established ways of doing things and building new connections will require bold thinking and strong relationships. But it is an essential step to advance equity in our state.
Behavioral Health — One in four Coloradans say they are experiencing poor mental health. Colorado needs an equitable, person-centered behavioral health system that meets the needs of all Coloradans, regardless of income, insurance, or geography. The Colorado Health Institute will advance policies and practices that improve mental health outcomes, with a focus on our youngest community members.
Climate and Health — The devastating fires of December 2021 are an urgent reminder of the need to adapt to a changing climate. The stakes for health equity and environmental justice could not be higher. Many Coloradans whose health is likely to be affected the most by a changing climate — including children and Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic and Latino Coloradans — are already likely to experience multiple barriers to health and well-being. The Colorado Health Institute’s goal is to equip every community in Colorado with essential tools, insight, and analysis to drive sound adaptation policies that center health equity.
These challenges are large, complex, and interlocking. But not unsolvable.
“We’ve learned in our first 20 years about the factors that allow people to be healthy,” said Lueck. “We’ve been proud to play a part in building systems in Colorado that fulfill those needs. But we have witnessed the cracks and gaps in those systems. Unless we as a state can repair those cracks and fill those gaps, we will not be able to advance health for everyone.”
“Achieving health equity requires the involvement of all of us,” she said. “CHI is committed to working to make sure that this value is at the center of our work together.”
This is why the Colorado Health Institute will play a different and more public role in the months and years ahead. They will continue supporting evidence-informed policymaking but will go farther and begin driving evidence-informed change.
“In the coming year, we expect to make measurable progress in these three areas,” Lueck said. “This is our contribution to helping build a resilient society in Colorado so its people can stay healthy, no matter what the next 20 years bring.”
###
Learn more about the Colorado Health Institute's 2022 Health Agenda. Read more of CHI's health equity work.
About the Colorado Health Institute
The Colorado Health Institute is a nonprofit and independent health policy research organization. CHI believes that good health policy leads to a healthier Colorado. Every day we bring research, insight, and expertise to leaders across the state, because informed decisions lead to better health for all.
Contact for the Colorado Health Institute
Joe Hanel, communications director, hanelj@coloradohealthinstitute.org or 720.382.7093