Equity and Access – Intersectional Care

Health equity can’t be achieved by any single sector. 

Providing housing alone doesn’t always meet the complex needs of people experiencing chronic homelessness. Improving access to transportation won’t by itself eliminate barriers to consistent treatment. And launching new technology doesn’t automatically improve access to care. 

But when these efforts come together, they create a holistic approach- one that connects housing, transportation, healthcare, and technology to improve health outcomes. 

Up to 80% of a person’s health is shaped by the conditions in which they live, work, and age. The greatest progress comes from cross-sector strategies that address these social determinants of health collectively, rather than in isolation. 

That’s why models like ALA’s Enhanced Care Management program work. ECM Care Managers operate at the intersection of healthcare, housing, and social services—caring for the whole person. By building bridges across community support networks, we see firsthand how stable housing and consistent care coordination lead to measurable improvements in health and wellbeing. 

When one aspect of a person’s life improves, it sparks positive change in others – and that’s the power of intersectional care.