Taking health improvement beyond our walls
The best models today suggest that only 20% of health is created inside the walls of health care organizations. This means that 80% of health results from what happens in our homes, our workplaces, our schools, our faith institutions, our communities. (See graphic below).
What Creates Health
The bottom line is that ThedaCare cannot achieve its mission of improving health and well-being through providing health care services alone. We need to be engaged in our communities — working arm-in-arm with education, public health, government and business leaders, cultural groups, nonprofit organizations, faith communities, philanthropy, and residents to build health and well-being together.
ThedaCare and Community: Teaming up to build health and well-being
Our residents know their communities best. They understand the assets as well as the challenges people face every day. And, oftentimes they have good ideas for how to make life better. That’s why our approach to improving community health and well-being is about studying health issues and figuring out solutions together, in partnership with the communities we serve. We do this in a variety of ways:
- Community Health Acton Teams (CHAT)
Each region served by a ThedaCare hospital hosts a CHAT Team. This brings together community members across all sectors, including education, business, government, public health, health care, nonprofits, philanthropy, faith communities, and more, to study prioritized health issues and figure out solutions together. Learn more here about our six CHAT teams and the amazing initiatives they’re creating.
- Community Health Needs Assessments and Plans
Every three years, ThedaCare hospitals conduct assessments of the health and well-being of the communities we serve. We do these assessments in partnership with other heath systems, public health, our CHAT Teams, community members, and many other stakeholders vested in maintaining an incomparable quality of life in our region. You can view the current Community Health Needs Assessments and Plans for each hospital region here.
- Sponsorships and Contributions
Many nonprofit organizations in our service area share the ThedaCare mission of improving health and well-being. They do so by filling critical gaps of support needed in our community, such as shelter, nutritious food, domestic violence services, mentorship, childcare supports, and more. ThedaCare provides small grants to help support these agencies. Learn more about our Sponsorships and Contributions application process here.
- Team Member Volunteerism in the Community
ThedaCare Team Members are encouraged to give of their time in their communities. Spring and fall system-wide volunteer events that tackle critical social needs of hunger and housing give everyone a chance to roll up their sleeves and improve community health outside of their “day jobs.” Learn more about our Team Member Volunteer Program here.
- Community Benefit Reports
ThedaCare, along with all nonprofit hospitals in the U.S., receive the privilege of IRS exemption from paying taxes. However, in exchange, nonprofit hospitals must provide care for anyone regardless of ability to pay. Theyalso must work to improve health in the communities they serve. Learn about how ThedaCare has fulfilled this important responsibility through our annual Community Benefit Reports found here.
- United Way Support
ThedaCare is a major supporter of United Way and similar organizations that collectively address critical community needs and build health and well-being across our service area. Learn about United Way Fox Cities.
