Houston Announces New Coordinated Community Health Improvement Effort

Posted byHoumanitarian

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HealthZone, Chron.com
An initiative to improve health and well being in the Houston area that includes GE, the nonprofit foundation of former President Bill Clinton and his family and mayor Annise Parker, was announced Monday.

The partnership will advance community health, close gaps in health disparities and urge community members to lead healthier lives, according to its leaders. It’s goal is to be the largest coordinated community health improvement effort in Houston’s history.

Initiative leaders say they will improve health by bringing together leaders from across the corporate, governmental, healthcare, academic and nonprofit sectors. Meetings already have been held with Houston and Harris County officials, Rice University’s Baker Institute and the University of Texas School of Public Health. Health insurers, providers, including Texas Medical Center and Harris Health System, large employers such as BP and community groups, including Shape Up Houston and Harris County Healthcare Alliance also have been involved.

“This initiative will promote healthier lifestyles in Houston by working with diverse organizations across the public and private sectors,” Clinton said in a written statement. “Each of us — the City of Houston, GE and the Clinton Health Matters Initiative — will leverage our expertise to collectively strengthen the health and well-being of all Houstonians, and create a model for other cities trying to improve their health.”

Houston Mayor Annise Parker said Houston always has been the center of America’s health care. “We are coming together to improve our health in Houston just as Houston improves the health of the world,” she said in a written statement. “Together we will drive progress.”
(Read more of this story at Chron.com)

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