Community Impact Focus Area: Health

Goal: Central Texans are physically and mentally healthy

Limited or no health care access is a reality for many in our community. And it translates into decreased length and quality of life for the individual, and increased burdens on all of us through higher taxes and health insurance rates.

The United Way Strategy

In order to improve the overall well-being of Central Texans, United Way is targeting at-risk populations with limited resources who experience the greatest health disparities. Our efforts will fill those gaps in care where the most significant impact can be made. By ensuring a “continuum of health-centered services” that focus on prevention and intervention, we hope to increase physical and mental well being, improve quality of life, and prevent the need for future, more intensive, and costlier care.

We have identified those healthcare areas that need the most attention and promise the greatest impact. They are:

Primary Care
The Big Goal: At-risk individuals access primary care and supportive services

Older Adults
The Big Goal: Older adults with limited resources live as independently as possible in a safe and health environment.

Behavioral Health
The Big Goal: At-risk populations with limited resources achieve optimal behavioral health.

Defining Success

We're committed to measuring the success of our efforts. If something works, we pursue it. If something doesn't, we change it or find a new approach. It's really that simple. And here are some examples of how we'll gauge our overall success…

Older Adults

• Significant increase in the percentage of older adults who report improving and maintaining their physical and mental health
• Significant increase in the percentage of older adults who are not moving into a more restrictive environment

Primary Care

• Large increase in the percentage of patients who report they have improved or maintained their physical well-being
• Large increase in the percentage of patients who experience a higher quality of life due to care

Behavioral Health

• A noticeable increase in the percentage of clients who have improved and maintained their mental well-being
• A noticeable increase in the percentage of clients who abstain from drugs or alcohol