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Health Forward is dedicated to supporting work that builds health and wealth for all.
A desire for change, for racial and economic equity, and for healthier communities lies at the core of every effort we undertake.
We advocate for the health of people that make communities thrive. Our efforts focus on whole-person care — from physical and behavioral to oral health and social services. And we support innovative ideas that make our health care system more inclusive.
Powerful communities are healthy communities. We work to adjust the balance of power by encouraging community members to participate in democracy, amplifying community movements, and supporting community leaders and advocates.
The places we live impact how healthy we are. Our approach to improving where we live focuses on two influential social factors: housing and digital access.
How healthy we are is strongly influenced by our society’s systems, policies, and stories.
To advance racial equity and economic inclusion, Health Forward is partnering with local governments and funders to center equity and race in all policies, systems, and decisions. We are reshaping the way people understand and talk about racial, economic, and health equity. And we are aligning our invested resources in a way that advances our purpose and has a positive impact on the people and communities we serve.
The stories we elevate are as diverse as the communities we serve. Discover some of the ways the Kansas City region is working toward a future of health equity.
Hispanic Heritage Month invites us to honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. This year, celebration is tempered by the challenges our communities continue to face — from inequities in health and education to the growing weight of political and social rhetoric that too often impacts immigrant and Spanish-speaking families. Still, even in this reality, there is pride in our history, hope in our leadership, and determination in our collective voice.
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We are thrilled to welcome Anthony C. Lloyd Sr. to Health Forward Foundation as our new Chief Financial Officer. With over 20 years of experience, his financial expertise and commitment to economic mobility as a pathway to healthier communities will be essential as we create new opportunities for collective prosperity.
We are deeply grieved that the budget reconciliation bill — referred to by its proponents as the “Big Beautiful Bill” — has now become law. This budget, narrowly adopted by Congress and signed by President Trump on Independence Day, ignores the very real struggles and hopes of most Americans. The simple hope we all share — to be healthy, to have our stomachs full, and to have our most basic needs met.
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Summer’s here, and that means longer days, slower vibes, and hopefully a little extra room to breathe. Around here at Health Forward Foundation, we’ve been swapping book ideas and trading tips on how we’re keeping it together this season. We pulled together a list of reads that have moved us, challenged us, or simply stuck with us over time — all worth adding to your list.
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Communities are healthier when people are engaged in decision-making about their health. That is why efforts to defund NPR and PBS public media stations are misguided and dangerous to the health of our communities. As a proud supporter of public media for the past 20 years, we urge you to reach out to your Senators and ask them to reject efforts to defund NPR and PBS.
Legislative sessions in Kansas and Missouri have concluded. While we fought for many of the outcomes to be different than they ended up, we’re grateful for the wins, the lessons, and for the solidarity and partnership of allies and organizations in both states. We remain steadfast in our advocacy and will remain present during the legislative offseason when we’ll be connecting with policy partners, policymakers, and others to keep moving our agendas in Kansas and Missouri forward.
In a time of unprecedented action to dismantle policies and practices that protect the well-being of all Americans, where chaos is the principal strategy to overthrow the will of, and care for, the American people, Health Forward Foundation remains rooted in what is legally and morally right.
Season’s Greetings! As the year comes to a close, I continue my annual Health Forward tradition of sharing Sankofa reflections on the journey we’ve traveled.
No matter what is most frequently said of immigration, the truth is that new Americans bring a wealth of skills, experiences, and perspectives that significantly benefit our communities. We want to shed light onto the positive contributions immigrants make to our economies and workplaces on both sides of the state line.
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