The Foundation supports non-profit organizations committed to providing quality health care services to the un/underinsured; behavioral health services when not available; improved access to health care through overcoming barriers to health care delivery;
health promotion through proactive prevention, education, and outreach; and programs aimed at addressing the social determinants of health.
December 2019 GRANT SPOTLIGHT – Access to Care
The Geography of Uninsurance in Massachusetts: An Update for 2013–2017, reveals that an estimated 2.8 percent of Massachusetts residents were uninsured as of 2017. While this
is the lowest state level uninsurance rate in the country, there is still much work to be done. While enrollment in health insurance is important, the issue of access to appropriate health care and the social factors affecting health must also be
addressed to ensure that people get the health care they need and deserve. The Foundation remains committed to filling major gaps in care and services in Massachusetts and is proud to award grants that work to intervene in early predictors of poor
health outcomes.
Learn more about organizations recently receiving grants.
September 2019 GRANT SPOTLIGHT – Food Insecurity
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. The USDA’s 2018 Household Food Insecurity Report,
released in September 2019, reports an average food insecurity rate of 9.3% in Massachusetts, up from an average of 8.3% 10 years prior. Research has linked food insecurity to negative health outcomes and health disparities. Poor nutrition can increase
the risk of developing health problems, including diabetes and hypertension. This being so, the Foundation is proud to support organizations across the Commonwealth working to reduce food insecurity and improve health outcomes.
Other recent grants include:
Asian Women for Health received $10,000 in May 2019 to support the launch of “MobilizAsians
for Health”, an innovative pilot project to assess the feasibility of using WeChat® as an effective intervention tool to mobilize breast cancer survivors.
Read More »
Amherst Survival Center received $15,000 in May 2019 directed toward supplementing a free clinic provided by medical volunteers and staff.
Read More »
For more information on prior grants visit our
annual
report.
Additionally, the Foundation supports medical students and resident physicians who are pursuing international education that focuses on underserved populations by subsidizing up to $2,000 of travel expenses.
Global
Surgery in Sierra Leone