Rush University System for Health has unveiled a groundbreaking, long-term initiative to address health disparities in Chicago’s West Side communities. This multimillion-dollar investment aims to reduce the stark 13-year life expectancy gap between residents of the Loop and those in Garfield Park on the West Side.
The health equity strategy, spearheaded by the newly established Rush BMO Institute for Health Equity, focuses on leveraging Rush’s position as an “anchor institution” to create lasting change. By 2030, Rush aims to halve the lifespan disparity between these neighborhoods, which are separated by just seven stops on the CTA’s Blue Line.
Since launching its Anchor Mission in 2017, Rush has made significant strides. The health system has loaned $6 million for social impact projects, hired 1,200 West Side residents with an average wage of $30 per hour, and spent $25 million on local vendors.
The initiative extends beyond traditional healthcare, addressing social determinants of health such as employment, education, and housing. Rush has partnered with other hospitals and community organizations to form West Side United, a collaborative effort to improve community health outcomes.
David Ansell, MD, senior vice president for community health equity, emphasized the importance of community partnership. “We realized we couldn’t do it alone, so community partnership became key to the strategy,” he said. “That meant empowering residents, local government, other hospitals and community-based organizations to join us and sharing in decision making.”
This comprehensive approach has garnered national attention, with Rush being recognized as a leader in the Healthcare Anchor Network. As the initiative progresses, Rush continues to demonstrate that addressing socio-economic factors is crucial to healing neighborhoods and improving overall community health.
See “Rush University System for Health Invests Millions in Health Equity” (September 9, 2021)