Food Deserts: Are most simply defined as lack of access to healthy foods, or as areas that combine low income with low access. Food deserts matter because people are more susceptible to the rising tide of chronic conditions and poor health without access to healthy foods like fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. SLHI had a bit… Continue reading →

What We Owe the Mentally Ill: What We Owe the Mentally Ill One of the key ingredients in a successful and meaningful life is having someone who loves us, someone who shares our joys and pain, cares deeply about our future and is willing to stick with us for the long haul. This kind of commitment is never easy and hardly… Continue reading →

2010 Grant and Medical Assistance Archives: Grant Archives St. Luke’s Health Initiatives’ 2010 grants are: About Care, receiving $64,025 to implement a volunteer management program. Arizona Coalition for Military Families, receiving $30,700 to implement “Guideline to Care” that strengthens the community’s capacity to serve veterans and service members. Arizona Ecumenical Council, receiving $35,000 to educate older adults in faith communities about… Continue reading →

The Industrialization of the Food Chain: Is not all bad, according to a recent op-ed in the New York Times (check the original blog post for sources of statistics cited). The author points out that agriculture accounts for just two percent of the nation’s energy use and comprises approximately the same total land area as a century ago, yet feeds three… Continue reading →

2009 Grant and Medical Assistance Archives: Grant Archives St. Luke’s Health Initiatives’ 2009 grants are: Arizona Facts of Life, receiving $35,000 to support a youth development effort through community engagement ASU College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation/ASU Foundation, receiving $60,393 to support the development of Promotores Hope Network – a community of practice for promotores. Childhelp Community Center, receiving $90,000 to… Continue reading →

Water Lilies: At the conclusion of the Phoenix Open professional golf tournament last week, course managers found their facility all dressed up with 1,200 healthy water lilies but nowhere to go. Word got around about their availability, but no takers emerged. Like, what would you do with 1,200 water-rooted plants in the middle of an urban desert?… Continue reading →