Issue Briefs

Breaking the poverty cycle: Funding programs that impact future generations

Unintended pregnancy can change the trajectory of a family’s life—particularly in lower income communities. The effect on social equity—for both parent and child—can persist for generations. This issue brief explores how efforts to support uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives (or LARCs) are already paying dividends for women, children and state budgets.

This issue brief features:

• Isabel V. Sawhill, Ph.D., senior fellow in economic studies, Center on Children and Families, Brookings Institution​
• Liane Jollon, RN, executive director, San Juan Basin Health Department;
• Don Coram, Colorado District 6 Senator. 

Community investment: The confluence of housing and health

Numerous studies have shown an association between housing insecurity and poor health. "Health plays a huge role in exacerbating the problems that can cause housing instability," says Frank Alexander, director, Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services. This issue brief delves into the research and examines how health care and housing can work together to benefit all involved—patients, families, communities, medical providers and health insurers. 

This issue brief features: 

Andy McMahon, vice president, health and human services policy UnitedHealthcare, Community and State

Frank Alexander, director, Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services

Telehealth has potential to bridge access gaps, but first it must overcome its own challenges

From sophisticated specialty consultations to simple texts, telehealth is beginning to transform community health. It holds particular promise for patients without ready access to health care. But before telehealth can fully achieve its potential, it must overcome an array of challenges. Adequate provider reimbursement and patient access to broadband are significant barriers.

Learn how local and national leaders are working to overcome those barriers in this issue brief, which features these experts:

• Dale Alverson, MD, medical director, Center for Telehealth at the University of New Mexico;
• Kim Fairley, care management supervisor, North Colorado Health Alliance; and
• Janie Dunckley, former director of business development at Northwest Colorado Health.

Prescription: Read -- By supporting early literacy, pediatric practices improve health and well-being of individuals and communities

The most effective way to improve a child’s reading ability is to improve access to the written word. But preschoolers from low-income families have far less access to age-appropriate books than do their more affluent peers. That’s why it’s essential to get books into the hands of parents and their children as soon as possible. Reach Out and Read Colorado does that, partnering with health care providers to give new books at pediatric checkups to children from 6 months to 5 years of age. It’s an evidence-based approach to improving community health and well-being.

V. Fan Tait, MD, FAAP, chief medical officer of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Meredith Hintze, executive director of Reach Out and Read Colorado