Welcome to the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI)

A New Way Forward for Rural Health

In communities across rural America, far too many people live with chronic illness, limited access to care, and deep structural barriers that impact their health every day. The current healthcare system is largely designed to intervene after disease has developed, focusing on managing symptoms rather than preventing illness or addressing underlying causes. This reactive model is driven by financial incentives, fragmented care delivery, and a lack of attention to social determinants of health. Most critically, it relies on “patient activation”—requiring individuals to have the resources, knowledge, and capacity to seek care and adhere to a treatment plan, a burden many in underserved communities cannot meet. The Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) was created to change that.

What Makes HCI Different?

• We go to the people. Instead of waiting for someone to show up in a clinic, we knock on their door.

• We address the whole person. Food, housing, transportation, and social support are just as important as medications and doctor visits.

• We listen first. Every program is shaped by community voices, guided by a local Community Action Board, and built for long-term impact.

What’s Next?

Our vision is to expand the HCI model to underserved rural communities across the country. We believe health equity starts at the local level—with the people who live the struggle every day. Whether you're a community leader, a public health partner, or someone looking to bring this model to your neighborhood, we invite you to contact us and discuss a potential collaboration. Because everyone deserves the chance to live a healthy life—no matter where they call home.