Health

OUR CHALLENGE:

Access to quality, integrated health services and addressing the common underlying factors of chronic disease — healthy eating and physical activity — are key to the health of our community.

The FACTS:

• In the next few decades, life expectancy will shorten by up to five years — the first time in modern history that parents are expected to live longer than their children.(1)
• Chronic disease is responsible for 56% of deaths in Illinois — largely from premature, preventable heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.(2)
• And in Illinois, less than half of us engage in the recommended amount of physical activity, and only a quarter of us eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables daily.(3)

LIVE UNITED 2020 Goal:

Connect over 200,000 people with available, preventative health services

OUR APPROACH:

Only by focusing on the underlying factors that lead to early death can we increase the number of households living longer, healthier lives.

OUR STRATEGY:

• Stabilize families and individuals in immediate crisis
• Mobilize our community to create safe places and a healthy environment
• Increase physical activity and healthy eating behaviors
• Reduce barriers to health care access by connecting people to consistent primary care, mental and social health services

United Way has developed these evidence based strategies in collaboration with local community experts and stakeholders. We are rigorously measuring our progress and our success. With adequate funding, we plan to implement these strategies in our United Way Partner Communities, generating a ripple effect of economic stability across our region.

WE INVITE YOU TO BE PART OF THE CHANGE AND THE SOLUTION:

• Donate to United Way’s Health & Wellness Initiative
• Become a United Way corporate partner and learn how you can Adopt or sponsor a United Way Partner Community.