Obesity and chronic disease, maternal and child health, and mental health and substance use are Saginaw's top three health priorities. On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 14 members of the BWell Saginaw Partner Coalition unveiled their 12-strategy plan for collaborating to significantly improve health outcomes in these areas. The ultimate goal is moving Saginaw from 76th out of 83 counties to one of Michigan's top 25 healthiest communities.
For more information about the comprehensive plan, visit https://bwellsaginaw.org/cha-report2023-2026/
Historically, BWell partners have worked independently to address most of Saginaw’s biggest public health issues. COVID-19 brought them together in an unprecedented way to respond collaboratively to the community’s pandemic-related needs for standards of care, testing, vaccination, and treatment. The group is sticking together to apply a COVID-like sense of urgency to three health priorities revealed in a 2023 community health needs assessment: Obesity and Chronic Disease, Maternal and Child Health, and Mental Health and Substance Use.
The partner coalition -- including Ascension St. Marys, CMU Medical Education Partners, Covenant HealthCare, Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, HealthSource Saginaw, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Michigan Health Improvement Alliance, Saginaw Community Foundation, Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority, Saginaw County Health Department, Saginaw Intermediate School District, Saginaw Valley State University, and United Way of Saginaw County – will speak in one voice to educate the community about health priorities and encourage engagement in solutions created with the CHIP.