Community health is an overall state of well-being we all work together to build. It's more than encouraging individual healthy choices and avoiding disease. It depends on a framework of public health services, quality education, safe and affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and employment opportunities that create an environment in which all of us can thrive. Every Missouri community needs a strong, stable, and lasting foundation for health and well-being they can depend on.

 

At #HealthierMO, we bring together everyone who contributes to community health in a true grassroots approach to ensuring that each community has a skilled public health workforce, a strong network of partners, stable funding streams, policies, and a reliable system for service delivery. Our approach is collaborative, holistic and equity-informed, and data-driven. 

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Together we're working to ensure that:

1)  Health equity is infused into all public health work.

2) A unified voice is established for public health work in Missouri.

3) All public health agencies in Missouri are assuring Missouri's Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) model.

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Missouri's Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) model describes a minimum set of fundamental services and capabilities that must be available in every community in order to ensure Missouri’s public health system delivers equitable opportunities for good health to all Missourians. The model provides a critical and consistent framework for practicing public health. 

 

The result is an increased ability to practice person- and community-centered care and resourcing that helps people break through barriers to reach their best state of health. When we have functioning systems, we have more room to operate in a way that honors the dignity and value of every person.