PURPOSE
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES
about advancing health equity and ensuring that all members of our communities have access to the resources they need to live their healthiest and most fulfilling lives.
We’re guided by our understanding that our overall health is greatly influenced by where we’re born and where we live, learn, work, play, worship, and age. In fact, these environmental factors account for nearly 80 percent of health outcomes, while direct healthcare accounts for only 20 percent (see graphic below).
Our purpose, then, calls us to address these issues on the ground every day where people live — not just when they’re under our care. Only then can we help to eliminate health disparities and promote equitable access to nutritious foods, education, safe and affordable housing, and stable, rewarding job opportunities.
“We approach every community and every partner with our ears and our hearts open. We’re not here to provide prescriptive solutions. We’re here to support and amplify the work of our partners in every way we can to improve more lives and inspire more hope for the future.”
Sherry Norquist, Director of Community Engagement & Impact
We know such disparities can’t be solved solely in the exam room, and they can’t be solved solely by Sentara. However, through our partnerships we continue to make both immediate impact and lasting change for our communities.
