Partnering with community stakeholders to improve quality of life for underserved communities is essential to Texas Health Resources (Texas Health), a non-profit, faith-based health system. In 2017, Texas Health launched a data-driven community engagement approach to address social determinants of health by investing resources in targeted zip codes. Texas Health's approach demonstrates that community engagement: is essential to health system efforts addressing disease upstream, can incentivize new approaches to health care change, and informs meaningful strategies for improved health.

Research suggests that unfavorable health outcomes are closely linked with socio-economic and/or environmental disadvantages. To achieve better health outcomes and prevent or delay disease, Texas Health is identifying and addressing negative influences in North Texas communities. Texas Heath’s Community Health Improvement (CHI) team is leading public health interventions that reach beyond the hospital setting into disadvantaged communities. This upstream approach relies on community involvement to tackle social and economic infrastructures impeding access to care. According to the World Health Organization, enabling collaborations among stakeholders is essential to achieving positive health impact and long-term quality care.

The approach is based on evidence from a 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), substantiated by key informant interviews, focus groups, PhotoVoice projects, and stakeholder meetings completed in 2018 prioritizing community engagement efforts. Combined quantitative and qualitative data informed CHI’s targeted investments through competitive grant-making to community-based organizations (CBOs).

Non-traditional partnering between a health system and CBOs in underresourced communities diversified care delivery, and activation of such community engagement approach in Dallas resulted in two community-identified priorities: (1) improved access to behavioral health services, (2) enhancement of physical activity and physical literacy opportunities for youth.

Case 1: Well Together: A Dallas/Rockwall Behavioral Health Initiative – collaborative of five CBOs to reduce depression among individuals in target zip codes (funding: Texas Health).

Case 2: YES Dallas – Partnership with Salvation Army, Texas Health Sports Medicine, Texas Woman’s University, A+ Charter Schools and North Texas Food Bank to drive youth engagement in sports (funding: U.S. HHS).

Texas Health is addressing sustainability efforts jointly with partners, fostering strong relationships and mobilizing the community at every stage for sustainable outcomes.