b'Healthy Communities: Health Equity Investment AnnouncementMany residents in some of our communities suffer disproportionately from treatable or preventable illnesses that significantly affect their life expectancy. Last year, the Center for Health Equity launched the CATCH 5 in 5 initiative, a bold step toward closing the life expectancy gap in these communities.This year, the Center led community outreach efforts, connecting people to health care and community resources to address medical and health-related social needs. Working alongside our Mobile Medicine and Congregational & Community Nursing teams, the Center coordinated over 150 impactful community events, including our inspiring annual Building a Better You event held on the campus of NC A&T in June 2024. These outreach events brought together health care professionals, community partners and community members, offering free health screenings and connections to primary care. Additional community activities coordinated by the Center for Health Equity included regular cooking classes and community walking events in east Greensboro and Reidsville. As a result, Cone Health has connected with over 1,200 patients in communities facing significant health disparities. More than half of these patients were at risk for cardiovascular disease, and many were not linked to a health care provider before these encounters.In 2024, Cone Health announced a transformative five-year, $150 million investment aimed at improving health outcomes in Alamance, Forsyth, Randolph, Rockingham and Guilford counties. Current projects include a medical office complex in east Greensboro and support for the reimagined Windsor Chavis Nocho Recreation Center through partnership with the City of Greensboro. Additionally, the launch of a new virtual primary care site in partnership with the Greensboro Housing Authority at their Hampton Homes community in December 2024 empowers even more residents to access care thats close to home.The work of the Center for Health Equity is complemented and strengthened by two groups of leaders who are committed to improving health disparities. The Health Equity Champions are a dedicated group of providers and other Cone Health team members who meet monthly to integrate health equity principles meaningfully within their respective divisions at Cone Health. Meanwhile, Health Equity Advocacy and Leadership (HEAL) Greensboro gathers community leaders committed to advancing health equity within our community to improve visibility and collaboration to enhance our collective impact on the social and structural drivers of health.8CONE HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT'