The Democracy Collaborative’s Bich Ha Pham and David Zuckerman discuss the work of the Healthcare Anchor Network.

Healthcare Anchor Network members are at the forefront of a movement of hospitals and health systems working to deploy their institutional resources — like hiring, purchasing and investment — to address economic and racial disparities. The goal is to improve the financial well-being of area residents and strengthen local economies. The growing network includes 50 health care systems representing more than 700 hospitals.

Member health systems believe that to improve outcomes and ensure long-term affordability, they must address the social determinants of health and invest in strategies that create equitable, engaged, connected and economically strong communities. They must help residents and the neighborhood to build community wealth that is long lasting.

Early on, network members decided to work at the system level on policy advocacy to have maximum impact on addressing health and economic inequity. Its Healthy Communities Policy Framework outlines the foundational elements of healthy communities, a healthy economy and a healthy planet.

Read more about the Healthy Communities Policy Framework at the Journal of the Catholic Health Association of the United States.