Supporting communities through Empowering Health
Expanding care access and addressing social determinants of health
So many communities deal with complex health challenges. Empowering Health is our commitment to partnering alongside community organizations to find lasting solutions. Our goal is to expand access to care. We’re also addressing social determinants of health. These are the conditions in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age. Social determinants of health affect quality of life and a wide range of health risks.
We work with community-based organizations to improve the health and wellness of people who need help most. These members of our communities are individuals and families who are often underserved, uninsured and overlooked.
Making healthier happen
UnitedHealthcare is focused on helping solve some of today's biggest challenges.
27.2 million
Americans are uninsured1
61%
of uninsured adults are people of color2
Nearly 50%
of health care costs often come from the most vulnerable people3
How we choose the communities we serve
First, we identify health care challenges. Then, UnitedHealthcare works with community organizations to:
- Support community-led solutions, like healthy food programs, that connect and engage with community members
- Focus on high-impact local programs, like behavioral health services, that put people and patient needs first
- Support data collection and measure long-term impact
- Align with other activities across UnitedHealthcare, UnitedHealth Group and Optum
Helping communities get the care they need
Too often, underserved communities have limited health resources.
20.5 million
live in households with incomes below 2 times the U.S. poverty level4
79%
of community health center patients are uninsured or publicly insured5
1 in 5
uninsured adults go without needed medical care due to cost6
Bringing care beyond the clinic
Health includes more than medical care. Factors outside a doctor’s office play a big role in influencing health and well-being.
80%
of a person’s health is affected by what happens outside of a clinical setting7
14%
of households have the burden of spending more than half of their income on shelter8
33.8 million
people in the U.S. live in households with limited or uncertain access to food9