Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's new five-year strategic plan focuses on children's health and access to health care

Major part of the one-page synopsis of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's strategic plan

Directors of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky have approved a new, five-year strategic plan that narrows the foundation's focus to health-care access and children's health.

The board acted after an 18-month strategic planning process with "external and internal interviews, surveys, data, research and other inputs," the foundation said in a press release.

"While Kentucky's uninsured rate has declined, increasing chronic health issues and continued low rankings compared to other states, in areas such as cancer mortality, show Kentuckians still face many barriers to accessing health care," the foundation said. "Issues include a high number of medically underserved areas and a health care workforce shortage."

In this area, the foundation will address access to quality care, immunization, cancer screening, public health services and data on claims to insurance companies, which can show important trends.

On children's health, the foundation noted that the annual Kids Count Data Book ranks Kentucky 37th in the nation for the overall condition of its children and said, "Investing in our next generation may have the biggest impact of any investment in health. Historically, Healthy Kentucky has prioritized early intervention and prevention strategies with its children's health initiatives, building capacity and relationships to be successful in this area. 

In this area, the foundation will address childhood obesity prevention, children's mental health, equitable child health and reducing tobacco use by children.

The foundation's stated vision is "a Kentucky where every individual and community reaches their highest levels of health." It says its mission is "to address the unmet health needs of Kentuckians by developing and influencing policy, improving access to care, reducing health risks and disparities, and promoting health equity."

For a one-page synopsis of the plan, click here.