Virginia Health Catalyst's Strategic Vision
To meet our mission - ensuring all Virginians have equitable access to comprehensive health care that includes oral health, Virginia Health Catalyst created a strategic framework that creates a foundation for comprehensive health care based on four interconnected systems, or pillars. To achieve comprehensive health care, each of these four pillars must be strong. These pillars guide our work and shape the lens through which we can advance health in the Commonwealth.
How the Four Pillars Work Together
Water fluoridation is a great example of how all four pillars work together to improve health. We know community water fluoridation is one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century and a cost-effective way to improve health outcomes. Some Virginians, however, believe tap water is unsafe or live in a locality that does not fluoridate its public water. To ensure everyone in Virginia can access fluoridated tap water and trust its safety, Virginia Health Catalyst works with partners to ensure that state and local policy supports fluoridation, and partners have the resources and tools to advocate for water safety and equitable infrastructure improvements and promote water as a substitute for sugar-sweetened beverages. We also engage clinical and community care partners to build public awareness around the benefits of fluoridated water and address individual fears or concerns.