January 5, 2022
Health policy grants awarded
Kaiser Permanente provides funding to support organizations advocating for the health and well-being of residents across Hawaii.
HONOLULU — Kaiser Permanente has awarded community health grants totaling $120,000 to the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice and Hawaii Public Health Institute, 2 organizations working to improve the health of Hawaii residents through health policy and social services programs.
Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice received $50,000 to continue developing and implementing comprehensive housing plans for each of Hawaii’s counties, with a special focus on the 25,000 low-income households in need of affordable housing. This effort builds off the organization’s work in 2021 to help develop the Maui County Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan, which was adopted by the County Council and is currently in the process of being implemented. Hawaii Appleseed will next work to secure comprehensive housing contracts with Kauai County and the City & County of Honolulu.
Hawaii Public Health Institute received $70,000 to support its work to improve the health of all Hawaii residents, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations and underserved communities that suffer greater health disparities. Funding will go toward advocating for comprehensive health policies that make healthy eating, active living, and health care more accessible.
“Critical to our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve. We strive to do this by improving social factors that impact one’s health and well-being, such as having a safe place to call home and access to healthy lifestyle resources,” said Greg Christian, Hawaii Market president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals. “This starts at the state and county level with policies and programs that create a stronger foundation for community health.”
These grants are the latest in a series of contributions from Kaiser Permanente to help residents throughout Hawaii receive vital support services in response to the socioeconomic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Kaiser Permanente gifted over $3.8 million in grants and scholarships to organizations serving communities across Hawaii.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve approximately 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.
