Sources:
- NashvilleHealth Community Health and Wellbeing Survey .
- "Health care in Nashville: Incentives help bridge wide disparities" article from The Tennessean
Our Priorities
Innovative Solutions for Health Equity
Health Equity
We are dedicated to building programs and partnerships that elevate community health by dismantling barriers to care and providing fair opportunities for all individuals to achieve optimal health. Our initiatives aim to inspire a more equitable healthcare landscape for everyone.
Significant health disparities exist in Nashville, particularly impacting the Black community, with nearly half of African American adults diagnosed with high blood pressure compared to just 27% of white non-Hispanic adults; this disparity is further highlighted by higher rates of infant mortality among Black infants in Davidson County compared to white infants, with reports showing a rate of 12.6 per 1,000 live births for Black infants versus 4.2 for white infants.
Access to Health
We aim to ensure every community member has timely access to quality healthcare services, elevating health outcomes regardless of socioeconomic background. We strive to remove obstacles that prevent individuals from receiving the care they need when they need it, nurturing a healthier community.
In 2023, Tennessee found itself near the bottom of national health rankings, positioned 44th overall. The state ranked 15th regarding healthcare deserts, with 23 of its 95 counties lacking sufficient health services. These healthcare deserts affect more than a third of Tennessee's population, impacting approximately 2.5 million residents.
Uninsured Nashvillians report significant barriers to seeing a physician. Of the uninsured face cost-related 60% barriers to obtaining care did not take prescription 54.6% of medications due to cost.
Social Determinants of Health
To improve health outcomes, we address key social determinants such as housing, food security, education, employment, and transportation. By tackling these foundational issues, we aim to inspire positive change and nurture overall well-being in our communities.
While the overall rate of food insecurity in Davidson County is 12.4%, specific demographics are disproportionately affected. Food insecurity rates for children and people who identify as Black or Hispanic are all close to 20%, up from 14% in 2018 (Feeding America, 2020). In Nashville, 85% of residents living in food deserts are Black.
Nashville households with less than median income spend 50% more on transportation and housing expenses. Approximately 25% of missed appointments are due to transportation. Younger adults, people without vehicle access, and people with disabilities are significantly more likely to encounter transportation barriers and miss medical appointments. In the US, an estimated 5.8 million individuals delay medical care yearly due to transportation barriers.
