The Health Initiative

Year Founded: 2018

THI seeks to catalyze a new conversation about – and increased investments in – health. The organization’s vision is to achieve a health-based economy that equitably invests our country’s public and private dollars in health, not just healthcare. THI’s work aims to increase investments in the known drivers of health, including healthy food, safe homes, and well-paying jobs. In order to achieve this vision and aim, THI pursues three core activities:

• Shift what the healthcare system pays for and change what it measures
• Galvanize sustained change, which requires that public and private healthcare institutions take mutually reinforcing action
• Drive technical change (e.g., analyzing data, navigating regulatory processes) and cultural change (e.g., activating leaders, creating accountability, mobilizing stakeholders) to catalyze the healthcare system

Founded in 2018, The Health Initiative (THI) is a nonprofit dedicated to shifting the focus from healthcare to the broader drivers of health, such as food, housing, and jobs. With the U.S. spending $12 billion daily on healthcare—despite only 20% of health outcomes being tied to clinical care—THI advocates for a health-based economy that equitably invests in communities. THI partners with major healthcare institutions to embed health investments into their strategies and operations, working to address historical inequities. Led by co-founders Rebecca Onie and Rocco Perla, THI is reshaping how public and private dollars impact health outcomes. THI serves as a trusted advisor, business analyst, policy shop, organizer, communications firm, and any other role required to unlock transformative investments in health.