HCA Gulf Coast
January 25, 2022

HOUSTON, TX – HCA Houston Healthcare announced today the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $135,000 grant to American Heart Association to support American Heart Association's Heart Healthy Communities Mobile Food System. The funding is part of the HCA Healthcare Foundation's Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a $75 million community impact fund designed to support innovative initiatives focused on addressing high-priority community needs and health equity.

"Access to healthy foods is an issue in Houston, where 1-in-7 individuals live in a food-insecure household." Evan Ray, HCA Houston Healthcare executive vice president and American Heart Association board member, said, "HCA Houston Healthcare is committed to addressing health disparities in our communities. This grant will provide the American Heart Association, Urban Harvest, the University of Houston and federally qualified health centers opportunity to collaborate and address nutritional insecurities."

The American Heart Association (AHA) is committed to driving equitable health impact in Greater Houston, focusing on hypertension and nutrition security. The collective impact of this grant will help move toward system-level change for healthier communities.

“The American Heart Association is collaborating with Houston's vibrant communities and partner agencies to reduce health disparities," said Lharissa Jacobs, vice president of health strategies, American Heart Association, Greater Houston Gulf Coast. "We are building systems for access to fresh fruits and vegetables, nutrition education, and clinical programs as the formula for good health. With the community as our partner, we will continue to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives."

Funding the Healthier Tomorrow Fund at the HCA Healthcare Foundation is one example of the many ways HCA Healthcare is making a positive impact in the communities it serves. In 2020, HCA Healthcare provided charity care, uninsured discounts and other uncompensated care at the cost of more than $3.4 billion and incurred $4.1 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Additionally, HCA Healthcare continues to invest in its colleagues' ongoing education and development and, as an enterprise, contributed $45 million to community organizations in 2020.

"At HCA Healthcare, we believe partnerships are essential to advancing our mission to care for and improve human life," said Joanne Pulles, president of the HCA Healthcare Foundation. "Partnering with organizations like American Heart Association allows us to do more for our communities than we can do separately."

Find out more information on the HCA Healthcare Foundation.