Creating a Culture of Health

How is your hospital building a culture of health in the community? That is, a culture in which adults and children—whatever their ethnic, geographic, racial or socioeconomic circumstance may be—live longer, healthier lives and have access to high-quality health care when, where and how they need it. This kind of culture focuses on promoting health as much as treating illness. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is working to develop and refine the “culture of health” concept. Partnering with RWJF, the AHA's Health Research & Educational Trust reviewed 300 community health needs assessment from health care organizations, conducted interviews with senior leaders, and identified trends in community health needs and priorities as well as community partnerships. The Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence guide 'Hospital-based Strategies for Creating a Culture of Health” discusses these findings and outlines a framework and roles for hospitals in fostering a culture of health. Case studies on 10 innovative initiatives illustrate what hospitals are doing now. With the shift toward population health, hospitals and health care systems have ample opportunity to collaborate with community partners, develop strategies to address community health concerns and catalyze change.

How is your hospital building a culture of health in the community? That is, a culture in which adults and children—whatever their ethnic, geographic, racial or socioeconomic circumstance may be—live longer, healthier lives and have access to high-quality health care when, where and how they need it. This kind of culture focuses on promoting health as much as treating illness. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is working to develop and refine the “culture of health” concept. Partnering with RWJF, the AHA's Health Research & Educational Trust reviewed 300 community health needs assessment from health care organizations, conducted interviews with senior leaders, and identified trends in community health needs and priorities as well as community partnerships. The Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence guide 'Hospital-based Strategies for Creating a Culture of Health” discusses these findings and outlines a framework and roles for hospitals in fostering a culture of health. Case studies on 10 innovative initiatives illustrate what hospitals are doing now. With the shift toward population health, hospitals and health care systems have ample opportunity to collaborate with community partners, develop strategies to address community health concerns and catalyze change.

HPOE.org offers additional reports and information on population health and community health improvement. Recent reports include:

Recent chair files highlighting population health initiatives at U.S. hospitals and health care systems include: