New Horizons: Health Systems and Community Wealth Building

by Jon Scaccia September 22, 2023

Recent studies shed light on a transformative collaboration: the partnership between health systems and community-led initiatives like Community Land Trusts (CLTs), Resident-Owned Communities (ROCs), and worker cooperatives. The intersection between these entities uncovers a rich tapestry of solutions to contemporary public health challenges.

At the core of these findings is a simple realization – health is not just about medical treatment; it’s intricately tied to our environment, homes, and jobs. The COVID pandemic intensified this link, with many facing heightened housing and employment insecurities. This is where health systems and community initiatives have stepped in, filling a crucial gap. By partnering with CLTs, ROCs, and worker cooperatives, health systems directly address the root causes, or the “social determinants,” of health disparities.

Most strikingly, the study highlighted that many of these partnerships were navigating relatively unchartered waters. Many CLT/ROC collaborations were initiated without precedent, demonstrating innovation and resilience. Despite this, a consistent pattern emerged: these collaborations, by intertwining housing, job security, and health, have laid a foundational roadmap for potential synergies in the future.

For the public health workforce, this represents a paradigm shift. Traditionally, public health has been more reactive, often responding to health crises. These findings suggest a more proactive approach – where preventing a health crisis is as essential as treating one. By focusing on community wealth-building, public health professionals can ensure that communities have the resources, stability, and autonomy to maintain their health in the first place.

Moreover, the broader implications are clear. Historically, health systems have been seen predominantly as medical entities and are now emerging as potential community developers and economic stabilizers. Their participation in community wealth-building indicates an understanding that health and well-being go beyond just the clinical sphere.

The alliance of health systems with community wealth-building initiatives like CLTs, ROCs, and worker cooperatives unveils a new frontier in public health. It’s a call to action for the public health workforce to consider health in its broader socioeconomic context, championing proactive solutions that create healthier, more resilient communities.

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