In Good Health

(Subtítulos disponibles en español)

We know there are many factors that affect Coloradans’ abilities to have health closer in reach – and financial security is one key measurement. Through Pulse, we learned: while Coloradans are expressing belief in a strong economic recovery, they are also feeling pinched by the state’s increasing cost of living – from the lack of affordable housing to the high cost of child care. Often, this financial insecurity is paired with challenges to mental health and well-being, including anxiety and depression.

Pulse found that nearly half of all Coloradans are worried about at least one of four major financial stressors, including:

• Losing their home because they cannot afford to pay their rent or mortgage;
• Keeping their

Between one and two percent of Coloradans identify as Native American, American Indian or Indigenous. It’s a population often forgotten in research and omitted from data that claims to accurately describe the experiences, perspectives and priorities of the people living in our state.

Because of the small size of the population, and a long history of violations of trust, conducting research with Native Americans requires an intentional investment of resources and relationship building. That doesn’t happen nearly enough, reinforcing many of the injustices our country is built on. Repeated harm perpetuated by institutions – including governments and philanthropic organizations – has created distrust that may keep Native Americans from participating in research.

Through Pulse: The Colorado Health Foundation Poll, we

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) make up around 4% of the folks who call Colorado home, and its a growing population. Our commitment to listening through Pulse: The Colorado Health Foundation Poll includes seeking out the priorities, concerns and hopes of our growing and diverse AAPI population.

The term “AAPI” is a broad one, encompassing people who identify as Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese, as well as Filipino, Indian and South Asian. Each community under the AAPI umbrella possesses unique histories, beliefs, values and lived experiences. Each community contributes tremendously to Colorado – socially, culturally and economically. Far too often, the identities of these communities are excluded from the story of the state, leading to less research, resources and

In the final stretch before Election Day, I shared some thoughts on how health-related issues may be impacting the mood of voters in Colorado and across the nation. In my interview with Bazi Kanani, learn more about how results from our recent poll could play out in the election and upcoming legislative session.

The Colorado Health Foundation believes in listening first, and that’s why we’ve created an annual poll to hear the perspectives of adults from across the state. From affordable housing and hunger to mental health and the impacts of the coronavirus, this poll takes the pulse of Coloradans on a range of important health issues this year and every year – to inform policy far into the future.