There is a current resurgence and proliferation of research on the socio-economic status/ health gradient to account for disparities in health. Typically socio-economic status (SES) is measured as a function of education, employment, and income, and there is significant covariance among these three variables. Epidemiologists find a small, interesting minority of diseases such as breast cancer that do not conform to the SES/ heath gradient, but in general, socio-economic status is among the most powerful predictors of health. This places a new, critical importance on advancing individuals' SES as a means of reducing health disparities. Expanding and upgrading employment opportunities, experiences, and income is central to this ambitious agenda.
Five years ago The California Wellness Foundation identified Work and Health as one of its major priority areas with the aim of advancing the health of Californians through strategies related to employment. The Board of Directors directed $20 million over five years to this approach. This Initiative has funded direct service projects, research programs, and has had a policy focus. As the program officers who have worked with the Work and Health Initiative's range of projects attempting to advance the health of Californians through employment, we will focus our remarks in this session on lessons that The California Wellness Foundation has learned about the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of this strategy to improve population health.
Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss the role of grantmakers in addressing health disparities through funding direct service projects, research programs, and policy influence efforts. 2. Disseminate lessons that The California Wellness Foundation has learned about the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of improving population health through strategic initiatives
Keywords: Foundations, Underserved Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: This session focuses on the Work and Health Initiative, funded by The California Wellness Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: The California Wellness Foundation funds the programs being presented in this session.