Community Focus

A Conversation on Celebrating Health for All with Central City Concern and Providence Health Plan

18 November 2024

Providence Health Plan’s (PHP) Health For All initiative aims to improve health outcomes and equity by providing access to care, food, and housing. As a part of this approach, PHP works with organizations like Central City Concern (CCC).

For 45 years, CCC has been serving in Portland, Oregon, evolving from a housing initiative into a comprehensive healthcare and social services organization. Caresse Sakagawa, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at Providence Health Plan (PHP), is a member of the board of directors at CCC.

She recently sat down with Dr. Andy Mendenhall, CCC's Chief Executive, to discuss how the nonprofit is addressing some of Portland's most pressing healthcare and social challenges. Here's just some of what they discussed:

A Legacy of Comprehensive Care

What began as an affordable housing program for individuals struggling with substance use disorders and mental health challenges has grown into something far more expansive.

Today, CCC provides a full spectrum of services, including healthcare, supportive housing, and employment services. Last year alone, they served over 16,000 individuals across Multnomah and Clackamas Counties.

Understanding social determinants of health

Dr. Mendenhall gave important insight into social determinants of health, explaining that they are the non-medical factors that significantly influence health outcomes, including:

• Access to stable housing

• Food security

• Basic necessities for medical care

Innovation in Crisis Response

Through a partnership with PHP, CCC has made significant strides in addressing the opioid crisis. They've expanded their opioid overdose response program, ensuring Naloxone availability across all their housing programs.

Dr. Mendenhall said the impact is immediate and measurable - lives are being saved weekly, allowing individuals to maintain their housing and continue their recovery journey.

"One in four American families today has a person who's struggling with some form of substance use disorder," he said. This statistic underscores the importance of changing societal dialogue and ensuring these individuals and their families can access the care they need.

The partnership between Central City Concern and Providence Health Plan demonstrates how collaborative approaches can create meaningful change.

Watch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UbvHbiuWn8