We Work to Meet Emerging Public Health Needs
The Richmond Henrico Public Health Foundation serves as a flexible vehicle to support diverse public health projects across our region. While the Health Equity Fund is our cornerstone initiative, our adaptability enables us to quickly respond to emerging community needs and leverage additional resources to promote health and thriving wherever it’s needed most.
RHPHF partners with Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, funders, and community organizations to:
- Identify emerging public health challenges affecting vulnerable communities
- Quickly mobilize resources to address critical gaps in service
- Bridge the gap and connect residents with resources that traditional programs might miss
Each special project we undertake directly supports our mission to promote health and health equity in Richmond and Henrico County. By responding to urgent needs with agility and purpose, we complement the ongoing work of the Health Equity Fund while providing new or needed services for community well-being.
Spotlight: Reducing Heat Related Illness Risk with Priority Populations
The Challenge
As Richmond experiences longer and more intense heat waves, certain neighborhoods bearing the brunt of the well-documented heat island effect put certain residents at greater risk for heat-related illnesses (HRI’s) and acute harms. Many families with underlying health conditions fell through the cracks of traditional assistance programs such as the state’s Energy Assistance program.
Our Response
RHPHF served as the critical connector between need and solution. Working through Richmond Henrico Health Districts’ Community Health Workers, we:
- Quickly raised funds for cooling resources
- Identified families ineligible for the state’s Energy Assistance Program
- Delivered vital cooling support to vulnerable residents in heat island neighborhoods
- Prevented heat-related illnesses among our most at-risk community members
The Impact
Families who would otherwise have no relief during dangerous heat waves received the resources they needed to stay safe and healthy during extreme temperatures.
Partner With Us
Join Our Collaborative Efforts: We believe that addressing complex public health challenges requires collective action. Whether you’re a funder, community organization, local government, healthcare provider, local business, or concerned citizen, your perspective and resources are valuable in our work.
- Share insights about emerging health needs in your community
- Contribute funding to support targeted interventions
- Connect us with those who might benefit from our programs
Contact our Board or email info@rhphf.org to discuss how we can collaborate on addressing emerging public health needs in our region.