2017A Year In ReviewDownload the 2017 Investment Summary
$947,772,545 in Total Funding and Grants
Kaiser Permanente has provided high-quality health care to our members and communities for more than 70 years. We understand that getting and keeping healthy means more than just eating fresh fruits and vegetables, working out, and visiting your physician once a year. In fact, there are economic, social, and environmental factors that play major roles in the quality of your health and the health of your family. That’s why we are working to make communities healthier by addressing these conditions.
We work with out community partners and others to improve Total Community Health by providing access to quality health care for those with little or no insurance
One of the ways our Community Health programs help to alleviate economic hardships is through the Summer Youth Employment Program. We provide work opportunities for aspiring physicians and future hospital administrators in our medical centers and offices. The Inroads program gives under-represented college students real-world business and health care experience, and builds leadership skills in the health care providers of the future.
Providing Mental Health Care in Watts
More than 50 years ago, Kaiser Permanente took a leading role in caring for the mental health and well-being of the people of Watts and the surrounding communities. In 1967, we opened the Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center (WCLC). The staff at the Center are committed to improving the total health of individuals and their families by providing counseling, outreach and essential educational and mental health services for little or no cost. The WCLC provides a safe, nurturing, healthy environment where kids and their families learn, flourish, and succeed.
Programs Supported
- Medical Financial Assistance
- Charitable Health Coverage Programs (including Child Health Program)
- Medi-Cal Subsidies
- Care & Coverage Grants & Donations
- Community Clinics, Health Centers and Public Hospitals Grants & Donations
2017 Healthy People Highlights
Lives made better through various accomplishments Kaiser Permanente Southern California Community Health and our community partners achieved to create healthy people this past year.
422,094
of the most vulnerable people in the state received quality health care through Kaiser Permanente.
104,892
low-income, uninsured, and underinsured members and non-members received financial assistance when the ability to pay for services impeded access to emergency and medically necessary care.
40,000
students from Medi-Cal households became certified for free school meals through a demonstration project in 14 California public school districts. California Food Policy Advocates reported that data sharing between schools and county and state agencies increased student enrollment in the program.
Healthy Environment
We support innovative efforts to increase nutritious foods, physical activity, economic vitality, safety, and wellness in local schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
Clean parks and open spaces are critical to healthy environments and communities. They provide safe places for people to come together, relax and exercise. We work with partner organizations, such as the Trust for Public Land, to build healthier, stronger, and safer neighborhoods through the creation of urban parks in the most underserved, at risk, and low-income neighborhoods.
Improving Economic Security in our Communities
Everyone deserves a decent standard of living. When a person or group cannot afford fresh, nutritious food; a comfortable, safe place to live; or the means to maintain basic hygiene standards, quality of life may seem out of reach – if not impossible.
Kaiser Permanente has long been committed to total health. We understand how economic, social and environmental factors in our communities – beyond the medical care we provide – significantly affect people’s health, well-being, and longevity. We strive to use our strong relationships and extensive resources to eliminate factors that can harm individual and community health.
Programs Supported
- Thriving Schools
- HEAL Zones
- HEAL Cities Campaign
- Community Health Initiatives Grants & Donations
- Environmental Stewardship
2017 Healthy Environment Highlights
Lives made better through various accomplishments Kaiser Permanente Southern California Community Health and our community partners achieved to create healthy environments this past year.
181
schools in 22 Districts in Southern California participated in the Thriving Schools program – part of our ongoing commitment to improve community health by partnering with national organizations to enhance school meal nutrition and increase opportunities for physical activity.
228,133
children, teens, and adults attended professional Educational Theatre performances and workshops that address current issues, including healthy eating and active living, conflict management, and bullying.
Sharing Knowledge
As one of the nation's most productive research institutions, Kaiser Permanente and our research scientists are transforming the future of health.
The lack of access to high quality health care for the uninsured or underinsured is a major social concern. Community Health funds Community Medicine Fellowships and the training of medical staff to educate a new generation of physicians to improve the health of underserved communities. We contribute resources to support community clinics, public hospitals, and government programs to improve both the access and quality of patient care.
Community Partnerships Help Expand Access to Vital Medical Care
No parent should have to worry whether they can receive medical care for their sick child.
Yet, each year, millions of adults nationwide face the harsh reality of not being able to obtain health care for their children and themselves. Those affected are unable to benefit from even basic medical services that are vital to one’s overall physical, mental, and social health – potentially threatening their development and quality of life.
Low-income adults and families, as well as those who lack, or have limited, health insurance, suffer the most from the immense gap in access to health care. Kaiser Permanente has long been committed to reducing health care disparities and promoting good health in the areas we serve. But we know we can’t do it alone.
To make the most significant impact, we partner with community organizations and other institutions who share a common vision that everyone deserves access to timely health care, and to live a happy, healthy, and productive life.
Programs Supported
- Educational Theatre
- Medical Research
- Graduate Medical Education
- Continuing Medical Education (CME)
- Nurse Practitioner & Other Nurse Training Programs
- Other Health Care Professional Training Programs (including anesthesia, pharmacy, physical therapy, radiology tech, and clinical psychology)
- Health Education Grants & Donations
- Health Care Professional Grants & Donations (including allied health and nurse education, training, and scholarships)
2017 Sharing Knowledge Highlights
Lives made better through various accomplishments Kaiser Permanente Southern California Community Health and our community partners achieved through sharing knowlege this past year.
990
studies were undertaken and more than 400 scholarly articles were published by the Department of Research and Evaluation. Kaiser Permanente researchers address critical issues like cancer, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and health care delivery improvement by leveraging our research expertise, mining rich data sources, and emphasizing evidence-based practices to improve health care worldwide.
1,290
medical residents from throughout the country and the world received training in our medical centers, focusing on preventive and primary care and chronic disease management to better serve culturally diverse communities.
288
underserved or at-risk high school students participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program to gain health care work experience.
1,028
health care professionals (nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and pharmacy residents) received free training to enhance their professional skills, thanks to Kaiser Permanente and the Southern California Department of Professional Education.
Other Community Investments
Diverse investments for better health and wellness for all.
Good health starts in our homes, schools, workplaces and neighborhoods. Kaiser Permanente is committed to making investments in our communities to ensure that everyone experiences good health and well-being.
Programs Supported
- Watts Counseling and Learning Center
- Educational Outreach Program
- Summer Youth Employment Program and INROADS Internship Programs
- Community Giving Program
- Community Benefit Operations
- Other Nonprofit Organizations Grants & Donations
$947,772,545 in Total Funding and Grants
Healthy People
invested in quality health care for those with little or no insurance.
Healthy Environments
invested in efforts to increase economic vitality, safety, and wellness.
Sharing Knowledge
invested in the training of medical staff to educate a new generation.
Other Community Health Investments
invested in the insurance that everyone experiences good health and well-being.