Addressing public health challenges is not easy – and creating big, systemic change is even harder. But together, we can ensure that all people in Howard County can live long, healthy lives. That has been the driving force behind the Horizon Foundation’s work for many years – to build a healthier community where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.
As the Foundation continues its work this year towards launching a new strategic plan, it’s important to take a look back and see how far we’ve come. Our new report, Catalysts for Change: Improving Health for All in Howard County, shows how we’ve gone about leading systemic change over the past six years across a number of key priority areas – always with racial equity as our guiding principle. Through engaging the public, community and coalition building, strategic grantmaking and advocacy and policy change, we work to make it easier for all people in Howard County to be healthy.
The report discusses our key ingredients for creating long-lasting, systemic change and details many of our successes. Together with our partners, we helped improve opportunities for residents to bike and walk, drove a significant drop in soda sales, improved access to mental health services and reduced stigma around supporting others with mental health struggles, increased the number of residents who have named a health care agent and completed an advance directive and helped pass equity-driven public policies.
We have much to be proud of – but there is still work to do. Moving forward, we intend to continue our progress with the goal of closing health disparities and building trusting, authentic partnerships with our community. Read the report now to learn more about the impact of our work!
