How Does Our Garden Grow?

A community health ecosystem is a complex and interconnected network of partners and other key elements that work together to promote health and well-being — like a garden that requires the right conditions to thrive.

Environment, our natural surroundings, the quality of our air and water, and proximity to parks and other green spaces directly affect well-being. It includes our exposure to hazards and access to resources. It influences our overall health outcomes. Think of a community garden, where people spend time outdoors, getting to know their neighbors, creating a beautiful space and sharing the joy of growing healthy food.

Healthcare providers and services, public health agencies, community organizations, government agencies and businesses are the gardeners, protectors and helpers, offering care and support, meeting unmet needs for food and shelter, and creating and implementing policies and funding that contribute to equitable systems of care.

Educational institutions, including RFU, cultivate a skilled workforce, promote sustainable practices, provide direct health care to the community, foster community engagement and participate in research driven by community priorities, helping to ensure a healthy future.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), much like good soil, provide the foundation. SDOH is everything that affects people’s lives outside of clinical care. It’s income, education, access to care, the built environment, the safety and stability of neighborhoods, and the bonds of community.