December 7, 2022

We have spent the last year implementing the foundation of our new purpose plan and sunsetting our previous funding areas — Healthy Communities, Mental Health, Safety Net, and applicant defined […]

July 22, 2022

After announcing our new purpose and strategies earlier this year, we are excited to share the “how” of our new plan to advance health equity in our communities. Because this language can […]

December 20, 2021

Our voices are brighter when we come together as a community. We want to thank all of you for your part in the work we did in the community this […]

January 20, 2021

2020 was a year like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic, glaring health injustices for people of color, the economic downturn, racial unrest, and political polarization have all challenged our health, […]

December 21, 2020

We are rapidly approaching the end of what has seemed like a 600-day year. We are ready to turn the page on 2020 and approach the coming year with hope. […]

October 22, 2020

Editor’s note: On Sept. 30, Health Forward hosted a virtual celebration for our 15th anniversary. During the event, president/CEO Qiana Thomason inspired us with the announcement of Health Forward’s focus […]

October 8, 2020

Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual celebration in honor of Health Forward’s 15 years! We were overwhelmed by the engaged audience comments during the event.  If you were […]

September 25, 2020

Updated: Watch the event live. We invite you to download these pages and color while you watch. Be sure to share your masterpiece on social media with #HealthForward15 so we […]

September 15, 2020

In 2019, five local artists were commissioned to create works reflecting on racial and economic inequities associated with nutrition assistance programs and how food policy shapes access to healthy food. […]

May 14, 2020

Sometimes the best response is silence. That’s the approach we have taken on our blog since the onset of the pandemic. In mid-March, we suspended posting anything not related to […]

January 2, 2020

As we all file back to work in the new decade, we pause to celebrate a time-honored tradition here at Health Forward by recapping highlights from the previous year. Here’s […]

September 19, 2019

Circumstances beyond a child’s control can shape his or her destiny, for better or worse, far into the future. That’s why helping children avert a cascade of lifelong problems triggered […]

August 2, 2019

Combating an elusive, often-overlooked killer that preys on the youngest and most vulnerable among Kansas City’s African-American community is the objective behind Asthma Empowerment-Kansas City, a far-reaching program supported by […]

January 14, 2019

Before we are too solidly into 2019, we want to stop, catch our breath, and take a look back at what a big year 2018 was for our communities and […]

December 19, 2018

Well, here it is, dear readers. The end of another busy year, with the biggest news being our new brand reveal. In the image above, you’ll see the roughly 170 […]

October 25, 2018

Fresh fruit and vegetables — and the health benefits that go with them — unfortunately remain out of reach for many with insufficient means. But thanks to a powerhouse Kansas […]

August 1, 2018

We know applying for grants takes time and resources from each of our applicants. We respect that time and effort, so we’re continually seeking ways to reduce the burden of […]

July 5, 2018

Part of our work to ignite a culture of health in our region is advocating for health and wellness. One of our advocacy efforts is this blog. We love to […]

April 19, 2018

Government aid remains essential in the fight against hunger for the area’s most vulnerable populations. Yet there’s no guarantee those in need can or will use their benefits to support […]

February 22, 2018

A visionary idea that took root in the Kansas City area six years ago continues to flourish as it improves healthy eating for low-income families and nurtures a renewed sense […]

February 12, 2018

We often talk about our work to tackle the pressing health issues facing our community. Though the topics are always worthy of discussion and support, they can also be heavy and […]

December 19, 2017

Well, here it is, dear readers. The end of another year. And what an interesting year 2017 has been! As Americans, we persevered through a tumultuous year. As Missourians and […]

November 30, 2017

Isolated by language, culture and poverty, many Latino immigrants in Kansas City face chronic health risks often made worse by their limited knowledge of nutrition and inadequate access to healthy […]

March 1, 2017

After a fun few weeks of packing, this week is moving week for Health Forward. Moving trucks are shuttling our work environments to the new office, and we have said goodbye […]

February 27, 2017

At the corner of 18th and Prospect sits a humble, unassuming building that has been the home of the Health Forward Foundation since our inception 14 years ago. In those […]

December 30, 2016

The coming of a new year marks a time of fresh beginnings and resolutions. December, then, becomes an important time to reflect on the accomplishments of the year and brings […]

December 19, 2016

All of us at the Health Forward Foundation would like to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. As we approach the new year, we thank you for all […]

November 21, 2016

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for family, friends, good health and great food. In addition to all the delicious calories, we recommend a walk after dinner, weather permitting, […]

October 31, 2016

On Friday afternoon, Health Forward associates visited our young neighbors at the KIPP Endeavor Academy for an early Halloween treat. Staff had a fun time dressing up and surprising the K-4th […]

October 12, 2016

Three weeks ago, Health Forward was proud to sponsor American Public Square’s Dinner at the Square event, The Painful Truth. People in attendance listened to a thoughtful, informed and respectful discussion […]

May 6, 2016

Editor’s note: In our last feature on our 10-year report, we highlighted the efforts of municipalities that are working toward healthier communities. But neighborhood organizations are creating improvements as well, as […]

April 15, 2016

Since 2010, a dozen municipalities in the region have implemented complete streets resolutions. A “complete street” is a street that allows for multiple modes of transportation, such as walkers, bikers, […]

March 27, 2016

It’s been four months since Kansas City, Missouri, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, became the first cities in the metropolitan area to pass policies to increase […]

March 2, 2016

A few years ago, we started looking ahead to our 10-year anniversary and how we could mark the occasion. Thus was born an ambitious project of mapping the health care landscape […]

February 5, 2016

In addition to new general service clinics, the area also has benefited from an expansion in dental care access for special needs and elderly populations. Oral Health on Wheels, a […]

January 27, 2016

Historically, one of the most effective strategies for reducing smoking has been to increase the cost of tobacco through higher taxes. According to the American Lung Association, a 10 percent […]

December 23, 2015

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer! As we celebrate the holiday season, we asked Health Forward associates about their favorite holidays traditions. We hope you enjoy our latest infographic. We […]

December 7, 2015

While many people in this region are uninsured and underserved, over the past decade, legislation like the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other health care transformations has […]

November 25, 2015

In case you haven’t heard, during 2015, we have been celebrating Health Forward’s 10th anniversary of grantmaking. Whether a celebratory picnic in the park, a luncheon and report looking back […]

November 9, 2015

Over the past decade we’ve seen new approaches in the understanding and treatment of mental illness. Among the most effective of these is trauma-informed care. We’re proud to say that […]

October 14, 2015

Ed. Note: This is a modified excerpt from our Decade of Difference report. Read more about the region’s health care workforce in our full report. Important developments throughout the dental workforce […]

October 8, 2015

In 2015, Health Forward is celebrating 10 Years of Grantmaking. But we are nothing without the organizations that work every day on eliminating barriers to quality health in our community. […]

October 6, 2015

Ed. Note: This is a modified excerpt from our Decade of Difference report. Read more about the region’s oral health evolution in our full report. Increased oral care capacity, improved […]

September 10, 2015

In 2015, Health Forward is celebrating 10 Years of Grantmaking. But we are nothing without the organizations that work every day on eliminating barriers to quality health in our community. […]

August 6, 2015

In 2015, Health Forward is celebrating 10 Years of Grantmaking. But we are nothing without the organizations that work every day on eliminating barriers to quality health in our community. […]

July 9, 2015

At its best, the quality of health care in our country and in our region is outstanding. We are at the forefront of developing and using state-of-the-art technologies and innovative […]

June 4, 2015

To build healthier communities, a logical place to start is through improving nutrition. Ensuring that everyone has access to healthy foods has major implications for preventing chronic diseases and for […]

May 12, 2015

We know how important early years are for getting children off to a healthy start. These years set the stage for healthy habits to last throughout one’s life. Raising healthy […]

April 13, 2015

If there is one thing that we’ve truly come to understand the past decade, it is that health is influenced by the places in which people live, learn, work, and […]

March 25, 2015

Just a decade ago, prohibiting smoking indoors wasn’t even on the table in most of the Kansas City metropolitan area. There was simply too much opposition on the part of […]

March 17, 2015

The year was 2005. There was little discussion and even less action surrounding the need to make public buildings smoke free. The same is true about improving food distribution in […]