Healthy communities are linked to the local economy
A new study reveals how finances impact the well-being of individuals
Did you know that a community's access to healthcare influences the success of its economy?
AltaMed, the nation's largest federally certified health care provider, recently announced the results of a new economic impact report demonstrating how healthy communities are intrinsically linked to the strength of the local economy. The report also highlights what's at stake when federal funding is cut for organizations that serve their communities, like AltaMed. “I think what the report does is confirm what many of us have known for decades: when you invest in health care, you strengthen the very foundation of the community,” said AltaMed President and CEO Castulo de la Rocha. “It's an economic roadmap that shows how care, equity, and opportunity are forever linked.” The report was authored by Dr. Derek Stafford of Research and Analytics, who has more than a decade of experience in data science, program evaluation, and public sector research. Their report highlights how AltaMed's economic impact has grown significantly, from $1.08 million in 2019 to a projected $4.24 million in 2025. Every dollar AltaMed spends generates at least $1.50 in total economic activity, creating a powerful multiplier effect that strengthens Southern California's economic resilience. “Every visit, every job, and every collaboration creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the walls of our clinics,” said Zoila D. Escobar, president of the AltaMed Foundation and executive vice president and chief administrative officer of AltaMed. “Healthy communities don't just appear; they are built through deliberate investment, compassion, and sustained commitment.”
Cuts in federal funding pose a significant threat to these organizations as they could lead to massive reductions in funding, the loss of coverage for millions of people, the increased costs for clinics and the disruption of essential services for low-income individuals.
Beyond health, organizations like this one support hundreds of small, local, and minority-owned businesses through their partnerships with providers. This ensures their investments remain in the community, generating an effect that fosters entrepreneurship, wage growth, and neighborhood stability.
“This analysis confirms that community health centers like AltaMed drive our region's economy by creating quality jobs, strengthening small businesses, and building healthier, more resilient communities,” said Maria S. Salinas, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Potential federal cuts would have serious repercussions for access to health care, employment, and small business ecosystems.
More than $15.1 million in total economic output would be at risk. And between 10,000 and 12,000 local jobs could be threatened. High-impact programs, such as AltaMed's workforce development and training programs, which empower young people from low-income communities to envision themselves as nurses, doctors, specialists, and leaders, and provide the training and resources needed to succeed, could be severely impacted. Without stable federal funding, entire neighborhoods that rely on organizations like AltaMed for healthcare, employment, and economic activity could be destabilized. "It's not just about the healthcare services. It's about what they do for the community," said Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at UCLA. “We must understand that these community clinics, like AltaMed, have an enormous economic impact on communities that are just beginning to consolidate.” This article was originally published on LatidoBeat, a coalition of leading local Spanish-language news organizations, united to amplify the rich diversity of Latino voices across the United States. It currently includes La Opinion (Los Angeles), El Diario (New York), La Raza (Chicago), La Prensa de Houston, La Prensa de Orlando, El Comercio de Colorado, and La Noticia (Charlotte). Read more news on LatidoBeat. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Organizations like this one support hundreds of small, local, and minority-owned businesses through their partnerships with suppliers. This ensures that their investments remain in the community, creating a ripple effect that fosters entrepreneurship, wage growth, and neighborhood stability.
“This analysis confirms that community health centers like AltaMed drive our region's economy by creating quality jobs, strengthening small businesses, and building healthier, more resilient communities,” said Maria S. Salinas, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Potential federal cuts would have serious repercussions for access to healthcare, employment, and small business ecosystems.
More than $15.1 million in total economic output would be at risk. And between 10,000 and 12,000 local jobs could be threatened. High-impact programs, such as AltaMed's workforce development and training programs, which empower young people from low-income communities to envision themselves as nurses, doctors,specialists, and leaders, and provide the training and resources needed to succeed, could be severely impacted. Without stable federal funding, entire neighborhoods that rely on organizations like AltaMed for healthcare, employment, and economic activity could be destabilized. "It's not just about the healthcare services. It's about what they do for the community," said Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at UCLA. “We must understand that these community clinics, like AltaMed, have an enormous economic impact on communities that are just beginning to consolidate.” This article was originally published on LatidoBeat, a coalition of leading local Spanish-language news organizations, united to amplify the rich diversity of Latino voices across the United States. It currently includes La Opinion (Los Angeles), El Diario (New York), La Raza (Chicago), La Prensa de Houston, La Prensa de Orlando, El Comercio de Colorado, and La Noticia (Charlotte). Read more news on LatidoBeat. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Organizations like this one support hundreds of small, local, and minority-owned businesses through their partnerships with suppliers. This ensures that their investments remain in the community, creating a ripple effect that fosters entrepreneurship, wage growth, and neighborhood stability.
“This analysis confirms that community health centers like AltaMed drive our region's economy by creating quality jobs, strengthening small businesses, and building healthier, more resilient communities,” said Maria S. Salinas, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Potential federal cuts would have serious repercussions for access to healthcare, employment, and small business ecosystems.
More than $15.1 million in total economic output would be at risk. And between 10,000 and 12,000 local jobs could be threatened. High-impact programs, such as AltaMed's workforce development and training programs, which empower young people from low-income communities to envision themselves as nurses, doctors, specialists, and leaders, and provide the training and resources needed to succeed, could be severely impacted. Without stable federal funding, entire neighborhoods that rely on organizations like AltaMed for healthcare, employment, and economic activity could be destabilized. "It's not just about the healthcare services. It's about what they do for the community," said Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at UCLA. “We must understand that these community clinics, like AltaMed, have an enormous economic impact on communities that are just beginning to consolidate.” This article was originally published on LatidoBeat, a coalition of leading local Spanish-language news organizations,united to amplify the rich diversity of Latino voices across the United States. It currently includes La Opinion (Los Angeles), El Diario (New York), La Raza (Chicago), La Prensa de Houston, La Prensa de Orlando, El Comercio de Colorado, and La Noticia (Charlotte). Read more news on LatidoBeat. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. “Strengthening small businesses and building healthier, more resilient communities,” said Maria S. Salinas, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Potential federal cuts would have serious repercussions for access to health care, employment, and small business ecosystems.
More than $15.1 million in total economic output would be at risk. And between 10,000 and 12,000 local jobs could be threatened. High-impact programs, such as AltaMed's workforce development and training programs, which allow young people from low-income communities to envision themselves as nurses, doctors, specialists, and leaders, and which include the training and resources needed to succeed, could be severely affected.
Without stable federal funding, entire neighborhoods that rely on organizations like AltaMed for health care, employment, and economic activity could be destabilized.
“It's not just about services" It's about "We must understand that these community clinics, like AltaMed, have a tremendous economic impact on communities that are just beginning to take shape." This article was originally published on LatidoBeat, a coalition of leading local Spanish-language news organizations, united to amplify the rich diversity of Latino voices across the United States. It currently includes La Opinion (Los Angeles), El Diario (New York), La Raza (Chicago), La Prensa de Houston, La Prensa de Orlando, El Comercio de Colorado, and La Noticia (Charlotte). Read more news on LatidoBeat. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. “Strengthening small businesses and building healthier, more resilient communities,” said Maria S. Salinas, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Potential federal cuts would have serious repercussions for access to health care, employment, and small business ecosystems.
More than $15.1 million in total economic output would be at risk. And between 10,000 and 12,000 local jobs could be threatened. High-impact programs, such as AltaMed's workforce development and training programs, which allow young people from low-income communities to envision themselves as nurses, doctors, specialists, and leaders, and which include the training and resources needed to succeed, could be severely affected.
Without stable federal funding,entire neighborhoods that rely on organizations like AltaMed for health care, employment, and economic activity could be destabilized.
“It's not just about services "It's about what they do for the community," said Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, distinguished professor and director of the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture. "We must understand that these community clinics, like AltaMed, have a tremendous economic impact on communities that are just beginning to take shape." This article was originally published on LatidoBeat, a coalition of leading local Spanish-language news organizations, united to amplify the rich diversity of Latino voices across the United States. It currently includes La Opinion (Los Angeles), El Diario (New York), La Raza (Chicago), La Prensa de Houston, La Prensa de Orlando, El Comercio de Colorado, and La Noticia (Charlotte). healthcare, employment, and economic activity could be destabilized.
“It's not just about healthcare services. It's about what they do for the community,” said Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, distinguished professor and director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at UCLA. “We must understand that these community clinics, like AltaMed, have a tremendous economic impact on communities that are just beginning to solidify.”
This article was originally published on LatidoBeat, a coalition of leading local Spanish-language news organizations, united to amplify the rich diversity of Latino voices across the United States. It currently includes La Opinion (Los Angeles), El Diario (New York), La Raza (Chicago), La Prensa de Houston, La Prensa de Orlando, El Comercio de Colorado, and La Noticia (Charlotte). Read more news on LatidoBeat.