Building Healthier Communities
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Improving the Health of West Michigan
Healthier Communities is one way Spectrum Health reaches out to its neighbors and the underserved-people whose demographic, economic or cultural characteristics hinder their access to health care or place them at risk for poor health outcomes.
How Healthier Communities Works
The goal of Healthier Communities is to improve the health of people in West Michigan. Our priorities are to better the health of adults with diabetes and heart disease, improve children's health and reduce infant mortality.
Our three major areas of focus are:
- Intervention: Providing health education and promoting healthy lifestyles
- Improving access: Removing barriers to health care
- Providing guidance and support: Conducting research and helping set health care policy
Community Commitment
Spectrum Health dedicates $6 million every year to Healthier Communities to provide programs and services for underserved residents of West Michigan. Funding is monitored by an independent community board, the Community Commitment Advisory Committee (CCAC). In 2009, our programs and services helped us connect more than 230,000 times with community members.
Professional Development and Training
Healthier Communities helps build key leadership skills and competencies in staff and partner agencies. We also offer training for community health workers and others who work in the area. Frequent low-cost classes are available on current health care issues. Learn more about our services.
Community Health Education
Healthier Communities offers hundreds of classes for the general public over the course of a year. Some classes and support groups are offered in Spanish.
Classes and support groups cover many topics including:
- Breastfeeding support
- Infant CPR
- Diabetes Education
- Fitness
- Heart health
- Nutrition
- Older adult health and wellness
- Osteoporosis
- Postpartum emotional support
- Pregnancy and parenting
- Safety
Community Partnerships
Healthier Communities works closely with other groups to promote healthy living. These partnerships are creating a long-term infrastructure that will continue to deliver services to underserved individuals in schools, churches, neighborhoods and businesses. Our common goal is to use resources in the most effective way to have the greatest impact on the community.
Patient Stories
Read how Healthier Communities programs have supported community members.
Sophie lives well with her Type 2 diabetes with help from Spectrum Health Diabetes Education Services.
Emily and her baby benefited from the Mothers Offering Mothers Support (MOMS) program.
Victor is effectively managing his diabetes through the Programa Puente (Latino Network) program.
Lisa received support for postpartum depression.
JoAnn receive support for COPD through the Nutritional Options for Wellness Program.
Cody manages his diabetes with the help of the School Health Advocacy Program.
Contact Us
Healthier Communities
665 Seward Avenue NW, Suite 110
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
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Phone: (616) 391-5000
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