Building relationships in health: How philanthropy and government can work together

Health grantmakers and government decisionmakers both care deeply about developing health systems that deliver high-quality services and promote the health of populations in need. While it is possible for the sectors to work separately, the mismatch between available resources and unmet needs and the complex determinants of health suggest that significant improvements will not be achieved by either the public or private sector working independently. Simply put, the needs are too great and the solutions too complex for either to go it alone. Planning, implementing, and evaluating programs that really make progress and improve health require the capacity of both sectors. While each sector has strengths and limitations, working together in complementary ways can improve the efficacy of both. 
Government at the local, state, and federal levels provides support for a broad array of health programs, including publicly-sponsored insurance programs; direct grants for health services delivery, health promotion, and health education; training of professionals; and data collection and research. Yet despite the tremendous public investment in health (45.2 percent of total national health expenditures, or $587.2 billion annually), government programs do not fully address many of the nation’s most persistent health concerns. In addition, legislative, regulatory, and political restrictions often impede government activities from fully reaching their objectives. (author introduction) #P4HEwebinarOctober2023