Key Levers
1. Increase and improve access for underserved populations through innovative delivery models and strong cross-sector partnerships.
There are local neighborhoods where working families experience an unequal distribution of resources. Structural barriers to quality healthcare means higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Other risks are early mortality and maternal morbidity. Poor mental health and increased stress are also among the negative impacts. These neighborhoods experience worse air, water, and noise pollution and have less green space.
Whole community health depends on whole community access. SHD has a unique opportunity to work in partnership with other local government agencies, service provider networks, nonprofits, labor, and business to catalyze collective action to create access to quality healthcare for all residents.
SHD can move the needle on equitable access by starting with the central question, How do we organize getting care to people that need it? It requires innovations in the ways health care is delivered and how we address the various factors impacting health, such as housing, education, and the social and natural environments. Inter-disciplinary and systems thinking and action through strong cross-sector partnerships will increase impact in powerful ways.
2. Build and sustain the local healthcare provider pipeline and support healthcare worker wellbeing. Investment in the workforce is also an investment in patient outcomes.
A major factor in achieving access to quality healthcare for all residents is addressing the healthcare provider shortage and building a consistent workforce pipeline. The enduring effects of COVID on the health system are driving many health workers to burnout and leave the industry causing widespread staffing gaps and long waits for care. In just one five year period, from 2020-2025, over 27,000 new health science and medical technology jobs were projected to be available in San Mateo County.
We are very fortunate in San Mateo County to have nearly 300 nonprofit organizations, many with staff and volunteers working on the ground each and every day to provide direct human services to vulnerable and underserved members of our community. SHD provides grants to over 70 nonprofit health-focused organizations annually. Nonprofit work is often driven by a sense of urgency and a deep commitment to the cause. With limited resources and staff, employees may have to juggle multiple responsibilities and working with people who are dealing with difficult life circumstances can be emotionally draining. The wellbeing of our nonprofit workforce is also critical to sustainability and effectiveness.
3. Transparency and accountability.
A primary function of the SHD Board is to provide oversight of the use of taxpayer dollars to ensure the highest value community health outcomes and impact. It starts with clarifying SHD’s intended impact and asking these questions:
What is the most important change desired?
What does progress look like and how will it be measured?
How do we define success?
Funding should be prioritized for investment in evidence-based practices and what is proven to work.