Corvallis groups receive $1.7M to tackle health disparities – KEZI

Report on InterCommunity Health Network’s Investment in Sustainable Community Development

Executive Summary

The InterCommunity Health Network Coordinated Care Organization (IHN-CCO) has announced a strategic allocation of over $1.7 million to advance community health and equity across Benton, Lincoln, and Linn counties. This investment will fund 15 pilot projects and five community partnerships, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, inequality, sustainable communities, and partnerships.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The initiative is structured to address key local needs identified in the 2024 Community Health Improvement Plan, with project objectives closely mirroring the global framework of the SDGs.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The core of the investment is aimed at ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.

• Funding is allocated to improve access to quality healthcare services for all community members.
• Specific projects are designed to expand behavioral health support systems.
• The initiative supports the development of youth and family services, promoting well-being from an early age.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

A primary focus of the funding is to reduce inequalities within and among communities by fostering inclusion and equity.

• Projects were selected for their commitment to culturally responsive and community-driven solutions.
• Dedicated support will be provided to newcomer and refugee communities to ensure equitable access to resources.
• The overall strategy aims to build a more equitable health system, addressing systemic disparities.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The initiative contributes to making communities more inclusive, safe, and resilient by addressing fundamental social determinants of health.

• A significant portion of the investment targets the critical need for affordable housing.
• Projects will focus on enhancing housing stability, a key component of a sustainable and healthy community.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The operational framework of this initiative exemplifies the importance of collaboration to achieve sustainable development.

• The Delivery System Transformation (DST) Committee, which approved the projects, is composed of diverse community partners from multiple sectors.
• The funding explicitly supports five emerging community partnerships, strengthening the local collaborative infrastructure.
• This initiative builds upon a decade of partnership, with over $28 million invested in more than 100 collaborative pilot projects.

Project Implementation and Scope

Selection and Focus Areas

Projects were selected through a competitive proposal process and are scheduled to launch in January 2026. The key focus areas derived from the Community Health Improvement Plan include:

1. Access to Quality Care
2. Affordable Housing and Housing Stability
3. Behavioral Health Services
4. Inclusion and Equity Initiatives

Historical Context and Long-Term Vision

This $1.7 million allocation is part of a sustained, long-term commitment by IHN-CCO. Over the past decade, the organization has invested more than $28 million in over 100 pilot projects. These efforts have been instrumental in strengthening local partnerships and systematically building a more equitable and sustainable health system across the region, demonstrating a durable commitment to the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s central theme is improving community health. It explicitly mentions funding projects related to “access to quality care” and “behavioral health,” which are core components of SDG 3.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The initiative’s focus on “equity” and “inclusion” directly addresses SDG 10. The article highlights support for “newcomers and refugee communities,” aiming to reduce health disparities and promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The commitment to funding projects that address “affordable housing” and “enhancing housing stability” connects directly to the goal of making human settlements safe, inclusive, and sustainable.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire initiative is a model of partnership. The IHN-CCO, a coordinated care organization, collaborates with a “Delivery System Transformation (DST) Committee, composed of community partners from various sectors” to fund and support local organizations. This multi-stakeholder approach is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.4: “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The article’s emphasis on funding projects for “behavioral health” directly supports the promotion of mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.8: “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…” The funding of projects to improve “access to quality care” aligns with this target of ensuring everyone can obtain the health services they need.
2. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The article mentions projects “centered on inclusion and equity” and specifically names “newcomers and refugee communities” as beneficiaries, which directly reflects the goal of this target.
3. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services…” The funding of projects aimed at “affordable housing” and “enhancing housing stability” is a direct contribution to achieving this target.
4. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The article describes a partnership model where the IHN-CCO works with a committee of “community partners from various sectors” to fund “a diverse group of organizations.” This collaborative structure is a clear example of the action called for in this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Financial Commitment as an Indicator: The article states that IHN-CCO has allocated “more than $1.7 million” for the current projects and has invested “more than $28 million” over the past decade. This financial data serves as a direct indicator of the resources mobilized for these community health and equity initiatives (relevant to SDG 17).
• Number of Projects and Partnerships as an Indicator: The funding of “15 pilot projects” and support for “five emerging community partnerships” are specific, measurable outputs. The historical context of “over 100 pilot projects” further quantifies the scale of the effort over time. This can be used to measure progress towards targets in SDGs 3, 10, and 11.
• Focus Areas as a Qualitative Indicator: The selection of projects based on key areas like “access to quality care, affordable housing, behavioral health, and initiatives centered on inclusion and equity” indicates that resources are being directed specifically towards achieving the identified SDG targets.
• Community Engagement as an Indicator: The existence and role of the “Delivery System Transformation (DST) Committee, composed of community partners from various sectors,” implies a process of multi-stakeholder engagement in decision-making, which is an indicator of a strong partnership model (SDG 17).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kezi.com