Healthy Communities

Cook County is committed to improving the health and well-being of all residents by ensuring access to healthcare services as well as addressing the social drivers of health, such as housing instability, food insecurity and access to transportation, and the physical environment. Through collaboration and partnership with government agencies, community-based organizations and healthcare providers, the County aims to reduce residents’ barriers to accessing and integrating health services and advance policies and programs that promote healthy, active lifestyles and communities.

Goal: Improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of Cook County residents and communities.

Objective 1:

Reduce health inequities by addressing the racial disparities and the social, physical and economic conditions that impact health.

Strategy	Key Projects	Related Strategies	Equity Fund Recommendation
1.1) Ensure all policies and practices address the root causes of health inequities.	Health Equity in All Policies		1.1 Health Equity in All Policies
1.2) Reduce barriers to accessing health services for all residents through assessment, education, outreach, and advocacy.	CCDPH Immunization Program
1.3) Deepen relationships and foster authentic dialogue with community-based organizations, advocacy groups, healthcare providers, government agencies, residents and other partners for increased collaboration and capacity to advance health equity.	Behavioral Health Summit Mental health strategic plan Community needs assessment

Objective 2:

Improve access to and integration of high-quality, responsive healthcare.

Strategy	Key Projects	Related Strategies	Equity Fund Recommendation
2.1) Enhance access to high-quality mental healthcare, trauma-informed services and substance use disorder care.	Behavioral health workforce assessment Opioid treatment program at Austin clinic Network of behavioral health telehealth providers for CountyCare members		1.2 Behavioral Health Administration
2.2) Ensure a continuum of health-related services exists within Cook County to meet residents’ needs.	Bi-directional referral network with other organizations to promote access Service line expansion to address health gaps in neurology, cardiology, cancer and maternal/child Expansion of services at Provident Hospital
2.3) Explore and support innovative models of care that increase access and expand ability to serve historically marginalized residents.	Impact Fund grants to community organizations CountyCare Access- Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Seniors Additional Behavioral Health personnel and support at existing clinics		1.2 Behavioral Health Administration

Objective 3:

Support healthy and active lifestyles and communities for residents.

Strategy	Key Projects	Related Strategies	Equity Fund Recommendation
3.1) Advocate for recreational opportunities and wellness programs that promote physical activity and improved health outcomes for all residents.	Cook County Bike Plan	Connected 3.5) Invest in public transit, bicycle, electric vehicles and pedestrian access.
3.2) Improve access to healthy and affordable food options to reduce food insecurity and enable healthy living, especially within historically marginalized communities.	Good Food Purchasing Program FoodCare initiative	Sustainable 2.5) Develop equitable, healthy and sustainable local food systems to improve resident health and create economic opportunity.
3.3) Promote accessible multi-modal transportation options, including walking and biking, that connect people to family, work and play.	Public transportation funding reforms to promote active and safe transportation Safety action plan	Connected 3.1) Coordinate and advocate for transportation investments and reforms across jurisdictions within the region. Connected 3.5) Invest in public transit, bicycle, electric vehicles and pedestrian access.
3.4) Encourage a cleaner and more resilient environment to mitigate the harmful effects of pollution and climate change.	CountyCare climate action plan for the Health Plan	Sustainable 4.1) Integrate sustainability measures, such as energy and water use reduction, waste management and recycling, into every Cook County department’s operations.

Objective 4:

Implement a public health approach that emphasizes trauma-informed strategies for mental and behavioral health, substance use, and community safety.

Strategy	Key Projects	Related Strategies	Equity Fund Recommendation
4.1) Encourage hospitals and healthcare providers to develop collaborative holistic, trauma-informed intervention models to reduce individual and community violence.	Hospital Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership (HEAL) initiative	Safe & Thriving 1.1) Invest in a public health approach to reduce gun violence, and coordinate and integrate efforts across the County.
4.2) Coordinate a continuum of services and programs and work across jurisdictions to reduce behavioral health inequities and address the opioid epidemic.	Mobile harm reduction unit Additional naloxone vending machines in courthouses and CCH sites Unified Crisis Continuum Stakeholder Committee		1.2 Behavioral Health Administration
4.3) Support people with mental health and substance use by promoting alternatives to policing and detention.	Clinical Triage and Stabilization Center at Provident Hospital Harm reduction legislative advocacy Behavioral health specialists care coordinators at HACC properties	Safe & Thriving 2.4) Advocate for evidence-informed policies that decrease racial, ethnic and socio-economic disparities and advance criminal legal reforms that promote community safety.
4.4) Improve access to meaningful employment opportunities in the health sector for individuals who face barriers, such as legal system involvement, through pathway programs and wrap-around services.	Provident Hospital scholarship program	Vital 5.4) Eliminate barriers to participation and access in the workforce development ecosystem and related training programs.

SPOTLIGHT: COOK COUNTY FOODCARE PROGRAM

With the understanding that access to healthy food is a social determinant of health, Cook County Health’s FoodCare initiative aims to increase access to healthy food and nutrition services to improve patients’ health outcomes by delivering meals to discharged patients experiencing food insecurity. It includes emergency home delivered meals, a digital platform connecting members with a dietician and medically tailored meals for members with specific conditions. As of August 2024, the program has over 53,000 enrolled members, 2,000 of whom are enrolled in the medically tailored meals program. Over 20,000 emergency meals have been delivered. The program won a 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award, along with a Best in Category distinction.