The Quad City Health Initiative (QCHI) is honored to announce that it has been selected to participate in a national study of highly successful partnerships that are improving the health of their communities. QCHI was chosen as one of 10 partnerships to be studied from among 157 nominations nationwide. The study entitled "Models of Collaboration Involving Hospitals, Public Health Departments and Others" is being conducted by researchers at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. The study is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Hospira, Inc. and Grant Thornton, LLP.
Health care expenditures in the USA have risen significantly in recent decades and presently consume nearly 18 percent of the GNP, a much larger share than other industrialized nations. It is widely recognized that greater attention and more resources must be devoted to the promotion of healthy life styles, prevention of illnesses and injuries, and early detection and treatment of health problems. Seventy-five percent of USA health care expenditures are related to treating chronic disease, while less than three percent is devoted to prevention and health promotion programs. It is increasingly clear that a stronger focus on prevention and population health will require better communications and more effective collaboration among hospitals, public health departments, and other key parties within and outside the health field. The need to accelerate positive change and the potential benefits of enhancing collaboration between hospitals and public health departments provided the impetus for this study. The study seeks to identify, compare, and contrast exceptional models of collaboration involving community hospitals, public health departments, and other stakeholders who share commitment to improving community health and determine the key lessons learned from their experience.
At the end of April, researchers from the University of Kentucky spent two days in the Quad Cities interviewing members of the QCHI staff and Board. "It was a true privilege to share our story and discuss all the factors that have contributed to the success of QCHI," says Karla Steele, QCHI Board Chair. "Our community has demonstrated extraordinary creativity and commitment in working regionally across state and city borders to improve the health of our community. Being chosen for this study highlights the impact that our Board members and volunteers have had on improving the health of the Quad Cities over the last fifteen years." The University of Kentucky research team plans to summarize their findings in a paper to be released later this year.
The Quad City Health Initiative is a cross-sector community partnership working to create a healthy community. A 25-member community Board oversees the organization which was established in 1999. The Initiative seeks to be our community's recognized leader for creating collaborative action on health and abides by the core values of commitment, collaboration and creativity. Major financial support of the Quad City Health Initiative is currently provided by the generous direct and in-kind investments of Genesis Health System and UnityPoint Health Trinity. In the last year, additional financial support was provided by Deere & Company, KJWW, Davenport Eye Group, Mississippi Valley Health, Modern Woodmen of America, Quad City Bank and Trust, Royal Neighbors of America, Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, ILLOWA Construction and Labor Management Council, United Way of the Quad Cities Area, Scott County Health Department, Rock Island County Health Department and Molyneaux Insurance.
