Established in 1973, the National Health Foundation (NHF) is an innovative leader in seeking ways to improve the healthcare delivery system. One of the Foundation's first initiatives was the development of a bioengineering program for hospitals. This successful endeavor helped shape new policy and procedures regarding how best to handle biological waste. Soon to follow was NHFs poison control study resulting in the restructuring of an inefficient decentralized operation into a single California state-wide poison control system with an 800 number.

NHF has also been instrumental in creating public education programs focusing on healthcare issues. The Foundation created several permanent exhibits at the California Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles. The first exhibit, Health for Life, was completed in time for the 1984 Olympics. The second exhibit, Lifestyle Choices, was completed in 1989 and provided instructive interactive games for young people related to drug and alcohol abuse.

In 1992 NHF staffed a special task force that investigated access to care in Los Angeles. NHF's report, Closing the Gap, documented for the first time the extent of the uninsured problem in California. The report led to the development of two projects, the Community Health Councils and the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County. Both of these projects have become self- sustaining organizations dedicated to advocating on behalf of those with limited access to healthcare.

Recently, NHF has been developing ways to provide improved services via the Internet. One of the Foundation’s projects, CHAMP-NET, is a virtual network that uses communications technology to connect staff from schools, hospitals, community-based organizations and county agencies to current, comprehensive information about public and private health coverage programs for uninsured children and pregnant women in California.

As we enter the next millennium, The National Health Foundation will continue to develop new ways to improve the healthcare delivery system and to increase access to health care for those most in need.

To learn more about NHF’s current projects, visit www.nhfca.org.