Friends, The Colorado Health Institute marks its 10th anniversary in 2012. We celebrate this milestone not as a point of pride for our organization but as an acknowledgment of the vision of those who saw the need for CHI, dreamed of what it could be and set it on its course with the highest of standards. Without this steadfast commitment over the past 10 years, we would not be where we are today. CHI is a product of the Colorado community. And we are grateful. To mark this occasion, the team at CHI is proud to present, “Colorado: A Picture of Health.” For those of us who research, analyze and strategize about how to best deliver health care, it’s all too easy to forget that our policies and decisions impact our fellow Coloradans, all five million-plus of us. This tribute to our state’s health serves as a reminder of those we ultimately serve. While health is found everywhere, we’ve focused our lens on areas that are most meaningful to the policies and decisions we make on the local
and state level and that will affect our most vulnerable – including children, the elderly and our communities. Over the past 10 years, we have made significant strides in health and health policy in Colorado. This book documents that progress. Yet there’s much work still to do. From expanding access to health care to improving health outcomes to building the infrastructure to meet tomorrow’s needs, we have unprecedented opportunities and challenges. As we look to the next 10 years, the Colorado Health Institute will continue to inform health policy and advance health. We thank our funders, Caring for Colorado, The Colorado Health Foundation, The Colorado Trust and Rose Community Foundation. Onwards!
Michele Lueck, President and CEO, Colorado Health Institute
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