The Episcopal Health Foundation awards grant to El Centro de Corazón

About the awarded grant

The Episcopal Health Foundation awards El Centro a multi-year grant to leverage ongoing Community-Centered Health Homes (CCHH) efforts to improve individual and community-wide health in the East End by addressing upstream social determinants of health with strategic interventions and coordinated care. Their contribution will help El Centro significantly impact the health, well-being, and quality of life for so many children, adults, and families in the East End. 

What are social determinants of health?

Conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes (CDC).

What is the Community-Centered Health Homes (CCHH) initiative about?

The CCHH model provides a concrete framework for institutionalizing practices that help advance population health by addressing community conditions that impact health outcomes. The CCHH initiative not only acknowledges that factors outside the healthcare system affect patient health outcomes, it actively participates in improving them to achieve health equity (Episcopal Health Foundation).

How is El Centro addressing social determinants of health?

El Centro de Corazón has actively engaged with community partners to make significant progress in improving obesity-related health and food insecurity in the East End. El Centro is addressing food insecurities in its patients by participating in the Houston Food Bank’s Food RX program. In partnership with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and local schools, El Centro is offering free weekly exercise classes to community members and its patients at the De Zavala Community Center, Magnolia Multi-Service Center, and Baggett Community Center (Galena Park). Additionally, El Centro has implemented the Fresh Rx Program in partnership with the City of Houston’s Get Moving Houston Farmer’s Markets to provide fresh fruit and vegetables for children and families participating in the Children’s Wellness program. Finally, El Centro has collaborated with the Houston Health Department and community residents to revitalize community gardens through its Growing Roots East End Network (GREEN) collaborative.