Program goals
The mission of Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is to improve the health and wellbeing of the people and communities we serve. Through our community health impact work, we respond to evolving health care and community health needs by supporting
initiatives, which advance our mission.
Guiding principles
- We give high priority to investments that create positive, functional change and attempt to resolve problems at their source.
- We recognize and respect Marion and Polk counties' diverse regions and populations, and seek to advance equity, diversity and inclusion through our programs.
- We believe that creative and sustainable solutions come from engaged community partnerships united toward a common goal.
- Projects must have measurable goals, tangible outcomes and a plan for sustainability following the completion of the grant.
Nondiscrimination policy
Salem Health does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ability/disability, age, status as a veteran, national origin, or any other protected class. Applicants for Community
Grants must hold similar standards in the delivery of services.
Funding priorities
Salem Health’s funding priorities align with the Marion-Polk Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and Community Health Assessment (CHA) as well as Salem Health’s internal five-year strategy for community health improvement. The following
areas are the priorities that Salem Health will seek invest grant resources to enhance our community’s overall health.
Substance abuse prevention
The 2021 update of the Marion and Polk counties’ Community Health Assessment notes that substance use and abuse, including alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, remain the primary source(s) of preventable death in the community, state, and country.
The increased stress and uncertainty from COVID-19 has led to a documented increase in substance use and abuse. Grants available to reduce the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Diabetes/obesity
Over the last five years, Marion and Polk Counties have experienced an increase in chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. These chronic health conditions put a person at greater risk of a poor outcome from COVID-19 illness. Diabetes and
obesity are both included on the list of top ten indicators most impacting our local health. Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of hospitalization and a leading cause of death in our community. Social determinants of health such as food insecurity
can contribute to diabetes and obesity. Grants available to positively affect the health outcomes of obese individuals with individuals with diabetes.
Access to health care and behavior health services
Our community suffers from a shortage of health care providers. There were fewer primary care and mental health providers relative to the population size than the state. Providers practicing in more rural regions have more people to serve than those
practicing in urban areas. Only about 60% of adults in our community report seeing a provider for an annual checkup and 1 in 5 reported that they were unable to see a provider in the last year due to cost. Grants available for health care navigation
and other efforts to increase access health care and mental health services.
To better understand these areas of focus, please consult the Marion and Polk Counties’ Community Health Assessment.
We work in and with our community to identify projects and programs that address the needs prioritized in the Community Health Assessment, as well as others identified and selected as strategic priorities for Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics. Our
current Community Health Implementation Plan focuses on identifying and addressing
health disparities with the Latinx population disproportionately affected by diabetes and obesity; reducing the length of hospital stays and assuring safe discharge plans for all patients; and building a sustainable workforce pipeline.
At this time, community health impact funding is by invitation only. If your organization works to address the priorities listed above and you would like to discuss it, please email community.relations@salemhealth.org.