To achieve its goal to improve the health of those who live or work in Central
Massachusetts, The Health Foundation is focusing its grantmaking and other
activities by targeting disparities in health status and access to care, with
particular attention given to caregivers, the working poor, and underserved children,
youth and elders.

Recognizing that health is determined by the complex interaction of individuals
with societal factors, the Foundation seeks to redress health status disparities
through integrated, comprehensive strategies involving both population-based
efforts to promote and protect health, and individual-based efforts to improve
access to care. In applying the broad definition of health, the Foundation
understands the determinants of health to be: medical care, socioeconomic status,
environment, genetics, lifestyles and behaviors. Thus, the Foundation expects
agents affecting health improvement to include: integrated healthcare delivery
systems, schools, social services, employers and public health.

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity."  –  The World Health Organization