Policy and advocacy

Reshaping policies and systems is the best way to achieve health equity and secure a fair and just region. Our policy and advocacy work is designed to amplify the power that exists within our communities of focus.

Political factors influence health

All communities deserve a quality of life determined and driven by the people who live in them. Our advocacy work leads with equal emphasis on data and the stories of people who desire and deserve healthy and long lives.

What we advocate for

We envision a fair and just future where...

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People can easily access safe, quality, and affordable whole-person care

That’s why we’re working to influence policies and governmental investments that ensure:

Health care is affordable, accessible, and high-quality – ensuring, there is no quality without equity, and no equity without quality
Healthy, whole foods are affordable, accessible, and reimbursable by payers for their medicinal qualities
Health care, in all its forms, is provided by a culturally responsive, diverse, and antiracist health care workforce
Community health worker services are reimbursable by payers and regarded as health care
Telehealth services achieve parity in care in Kansas and are continuously reimbursable
for health care providers in both states

Our communities are healthy places where people fully participate in the digital economy and build wealth through safe, quality, and affordable housing and homeownership

We’re working to influence policies that ensure:

Safe housing and homeownership are available,
affordable, and attainable
Housing policies reduce racial home ownership gaps, create mixed income neighborhoods, and protect against displacement
The digital economy, and the tools and training required to use it, is available, affordable, and accessible

Participation in our democracy and policy making process improves health outcomes

We’re working to influence policies that ensure:

All citizens can vote and participate in the democratic process without barriers
All citizens are fairly represented in and by our elected bodies
Local jurisdictions have reasonable authority to promote and protect public health

Community health is influenced by systems, policies, and stories that promote racial equity and economic inclusion

We’re working to influence policies that ensure:

Race, because of racism, no longer influences health outcomes
Racial equity is pursued in all policies
Disaggregated public health data centers racial and ethnic identities and leads to more equitable resource allocation and the eradication of health injustices

Our intended impact

The impact we seek will not happen overnight. We know change is possible if we come together as a community and strategically focus our efforts to move toward systems that benefit all of us.

High-quality, equitable community health ecosystem

Strong community organizations and voices

Equitable and just places that foster health and economic advancement

Partner with us

At Health Forward, we’re one small part of the health equity movement that is gaining traction in the Kansas City area. Sometimes we lead. Sometimes we follow. But we are always listening to, and guided by, our community partners.

Purpose Areas

More About Our Work

Policy and advocacy

Political factors influence health

What we advocate for

We envision a fair and just future where...

Our intended impact

Partner with us

Purpose Areas

More About Our Work