ST. JOSEPH, Mich. - Corewell Health South, formerly known as Spectrum Health Lakeland, received a $40,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to support research on neighborhood and institutional trust in order to improve local health equity.

This work will build on local research that measured levels of trust between community members and health care organizations.

“We know that a lack of trust in health care remains an issue, particularly among individuals who identify as Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American. And, we know that trust is critical to improving health care outcomes and health equity within our communities,” said Lynn Todman, PhD, Vice President of Health Equity and Community Partnerships for Corewell Health. “This project is focused on building trust with our communities by listening to them, asking what they need, and using that information to co-create solutions that help us to improve the health of the communities we serve.”

Researchers will explore a number of factors, including opportunities for neighborhood engagement and health care accessibility, to inform future health programs and interventions.

The Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation, the Benton Heights Community Development Council, and Present Pillars will receive 50% of the grant money to collect research data and facilitate their own action plans informed by the data.