Mini-grants announced to encourage community dialogue about health disparities

PBS documentary “Unnatural Causes” will be centerpiece of activities
throughout Silicon Valley

April 11, 2008 -- The Health Trust today announced it will provide $25,000 in mini-grants to community organizations in Silicon Valley to support programs and activities in 2008 focused on the PBS documentary series “Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?”

The groundbreaking documentary, which is being broadcast this month on KTEH and KQED, will be available in DVD format to serve as a centerpiece of community dialogue on the assumptions and beliefs about who gets sick and why.  The goal of the mini-grants is to encourage conversations about the political and social aspects of health in America showcased in the series.

“What we learn in ‘Unnatural Causes’ is that economic status, race, and the neighborhood you live in are powerful predictors of health and life expectancy,” said Frederick J. Ferrer, Chief Executive Officer of The Health Trust.  “Health insurance is a big factor, but there are many other less obvious reasons why health disparities exist.  Community programs based on this series will open the eyes of Silicon Valley residents to the barriers that many people in our region experience in trying to be healthy.”

The mini-grants will range in size from $500 to $1,500.  Any nonprofit organization or community group, including faith-based, schools, and neighborhood associations, can apply for funding.  Applications are available on The Health Trust website www.healthtrust.org or by calling 408-559-9385 and must be submitted by Friday, May 9, 2008.

Healthy Communities, reducing health disparities, is one of three strategic initiatives launched by The Health Trust earlier this year in support of its vision of transforming Silicon Valley into the healthiest region in America.  Other initiatives are Healthy Aging and Healthy Living which tackles the obesity crisis.

“Far too many people in our community face enormous barriers to health,” Ferrer said.  “For many reasons – most of them beyond the control of the individuals – Latinos, Asians and African Americans have higher health risks and mortality rates.  To truly be the healthiest region, there must be fair and equitable health care services and programs for all of our region’s residents so that they can share the opportunity to enjoy health and wellness. We need to address many of the root causes of health inequities such as racism, education and poverty.”

“Health inequities, stemming from inability to access social resources such as power, money and education are not natural or unchangeable, but are directly related to the quality of our public policies,” said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, Santa Clara County Health Officer and Interim Public Health Director.  “Santa Clara Valley has a successful history of building partnerships with agencies, government, neighborhood organizations and businesses for the good of the whole community.  Together we can work to improve the factors that impact health, thus creating an equitable society.”

 The Health Trust’s initiatives focus on changes in the community environment that affect health such as parks and trails for exercise and more access to fresh produce in all neighborhoods, health screenings and health education for at risk residents, and help in enrolling uninsured in existing programs.  The Health Trust is also opening in June a Children’s Dental Center in East San Jose to provide dental services to more of the 120,000 children in Santa Clara County who need to see a dentist.

For more information on The Health Trust, visit www.healthtrust.org.

Media Contacts:

Frederick J. Ferrer, Chief Executive Officer, The Health Trust: 408-559-5580
Paul Hepfer, Vice President of Programs, The Health Trust: 408-879-8423
Derek Matthews, Communications Specialist, The Health Trust: 408-879-8429