The physical, social, and economic conditions in a person’s community and everyday life – known as the social determinants of health— constitute 80 to 90 percent of factors affecting health outcomes for a population, with medical care contributing just 10 to 20 percent. LISC recognizes the powerful role that community development plays in preventing chronic disease and bolstering health and wellness, and supports a comprehensive agenda to improve outcomes for people in our local communities. We invest in community health centers and other critical access points for health care services, provide financing and technical guidance to projects that increase access to healthy food, and support recreational fields and facilities that give kids quality places to play. LISC has forged partnerships with hospitals and health insurers to advance this agenda, bringing new capital to communities and leveraging data-analysis capabilities, relationships, and services to advance health equity for people of color.
Accessing affordable and healthy food can be challenging for many low-income families across the United States.
In too many American communities, lack of affordable primary health care is part of the landscape of deficit that eats away at the health and longevity of low-income residents and people of color.
Greater economic opportunity for people and places is inextricably linked to health and wellness.