health
Our Vision
A Dane County absent of racial health disparities.
Our Goal
Decrease racial disparities in Dane County by providing equitable access to affordable, accessible and culturally-safe health care.
Why It Matters
While Dane County remains a top place to live, raise a family and retire, for our BIPOC neighbors (including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Southeast Asian and people of color), education, income and health inequities and disparities remain consistent. Unfortunately in Dane County, the color of your skin and the ZIP code in which you live have a significant impact on your quality of life, life expectancy and a wide range of health outcomes.
Currently, the overall life expectancy in Dane County is 81.8 years old (2017-2019 County Health Rankings) – however, life expectancy for Black residents is 73.7 years old.
Impact on Local Individuals in 2021
99%
completed goals in programs focused on cultural safety and responsiveness to trauma for BIPOC communities (3,425 individuals)
91%
saw improved health outcomes in programs that address that needs of BIPOC communities (2,377 individuals)
88%
saw improved health outcomes in maternal child health programs (835 individuals)
How We Invested in 2021
Investment: $5,629,029
Agenda for Change Programs: 19
Solutions Team Volunteers: 18
Program Participants: 30,427
Strategies
Increase culturally relevant, reflective and safe wellness models and programs defined and/or led by BIPOC neighbors (including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Southeast Asian and people of color).
Increase capacity in communities to address health disparities for BIPOC communities.
Increase community-based health programs that address BIPOC communities.
Increase community-based maternal child health programming for BIPOC communities.
Embed culture brokers into care teams for individuals and families in BIPOC communities disengaged from mental health supports due to racism, power dynamics and distrust.
Shaping our Focus, Deepening our Impact
At United Way, we know that Wisconsin leads the U.S. in racial disparities that exist within our communities – and we see that right here in Dane County. In an effort to deepen our impact and specifically serve populations who experience poor health outcomes due to long-standing inequities, we’ve focused our strategies within our health portfolio.
This evolution allows us to address issues that affect people at all stages of life who are not getting the care they need. With that in mind, we’ve updated our health priorities with two new goals:
Reduce racial health disparities in Dane County
Increase resiliency and trauma supports for Dane County residents
Our vision is that, over time, we will see Dane County’s health disparities reduced. We’ll accomplish this by working together with our partners to ensure en equitable, affordable, accessible and culturally-safe healthcare experience for all.
United Way of Dane County Invests in Health Programs at These Agencies
Access Community Health Centers
Access to Independence
ARC Community Services
Canopy Center
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Madison
Centro Hispano
East Madison Community Center
Jewish Social Services of Madison
Journey Mental Health Center
NewBridge
Pharmacy Society of WI
Safe Communities of Madison & Dane County
SSM Health at Home
The Hmong Institute
The Rainbow Project
Triangle Community Ministry
Urban Triage
Vera Court Neighborhood Center
Vivent Health