About

Essential Communities

The 350 members of America’s Essential Hospitals provide services vital to the health of their communities. But they recognize that the health of a community depends not only upon their care, but on many other factors—including a variety of social determinants of health.

More and more, our hospitals reach beyond their walls to understand what promotes or hinders health in their community and to partner with local organizations to deliver community-integrated health care—a strategy by which health care providers work collaboratively with sectors such as government, social services, and community development. This approach creates a connected system that not only meets the physical, mental, and social needs of individuals, but also strengthens the structures and conditions that influence those needs.

Essential people. Essential hospitals. Essential communities.

Here, it all comes together: Essential Communities is a hub for resources, examples, and learning opportunities. It is a gathering place for essential hospitals, their community partners, and anyone who wishes to learn more about how a community can foster health through aligned, collaborative efforts that reach far beyond hospital walls.

OUR FUNDERS

Support for our Essential Communities work was provided in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The CVS Health Foundation, and The Leon Lowenstein Foundation.

AMERICA’S ESSENTIAL HOSPITALS

America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals dedicated to high-quality care for all, including those who face social and financial barriers to care. Since 1981, America’s Essential Hospitals has advanced policies and programs that promote health and access to health care. We support our more than 350 members with advocacy, policy development, research, education, and leadership development. Communities depend on essential hospitals for care across the continuum, health care workforce training, research, public health, and other services. Supported by Essential Hospitals Institute, the association’s research and education arm, essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead all of health care toward better outcomes and value.

Essential Hospitals Institute

Essential Hospitals Institute leads research, education, dissemination, and leadership development for America’s Essential Hospitals. To advance the quality, safety, and affordability of care at essential hospitals, the Institute identifies promising practices in the field, provides professional development training, promotes practice improvements, and disseminates innovative approaches to care. It does this with an eye toward improving individual and population health through community-integrated health care.