Issue Briefs focus on topics that have emerged out of the numerous MFH grant applications. In focusing on these issues, the Foundation presents definitions, key information and best practices, along with illustrations of activities both national and local that can have an impact. Knowledge about these issues ensures the Foundation's Board of Directors and staff make better-informed decisions when considering grant-making in these areas, and provide greater awareness of the issues to all Missourians.
The bibliographies for the issue briefs stand as a valuable resource of the most relevant research documents and, in some cases, include expert interviews.

Issue Briefs Available for Download:

Issue Brief: Health Care in the Criminal Justice System: An Updated Examination of the Issues
This study examines the current state of health care in the criminal justice system and objectively assesses the major health needs, concerns, and challenges found within Missouri’s correctional system.

Prepared by: Dara S. Antrum, Health Policy Fellow, Missouri Foundation for Health
Date: December 2007
View the PDF Version | MS Word Document

Issue Brief: Japan and Massachusetts - A Comparison of Universal Health Care Systems
This study provides an overview of the general structure of both the Massachusetts and Japanese health care systems, and outlines how each achieves universal health care for its residents. Additionally, the paper compares and contrasts not only the health care systems, but the demographic and cultural differences that affect the implementation of the health care structures within these entities. Finally, the paper concludes with an outlook on how universal coverage in Massachusetts might affect the health outcomes of the residents of that state.

Prepared by: M. Ryan Barker, MSW, Missouri Foundation for Health
Date: Spring 2006
View the PDF Version | MS Word Document

Issue Overview: Hospital Charity Care in the United States
This issue overview presents a broad look at how Missouri and other states have defined and worked on issues relating to charity care. Within the parameters of hospital charity care, this paper examines the historical context in which charity care emerged and evolved, as well as important concepts that have stemmed from the topic of charity care. It provides a broad sketch of the national landscape of charity care, paying special attention to the state of Missouri, and discusses policy and legal implications of charity care.

Prepared by: Health Policy Staff, Missouri Foundation for Health
Date: Summer 2005
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Issue Brief: Faith-Based Health Services
This paper provides an overview of health promotion and prevention services in a faith-based setting. It offers background information, history and assets of faith communities, preliminary provisions regarding health-related activities in a faith-based setting, key elements for successful faith-based programming and illustrations of faith-based programs.

Prepared by M. Ryan Barker, MSW, Missouri Foundation for Health
Date: August 2004

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Issue Brief: Impact of the Democratic Presidential Candidates Health Care Plans
on the Uninsured in Missouri
This brief paper presents an estimate of the number of uninsured Missouri residents likely to receive health insurance coverage under the 2004 Democratic Presidential contenders' health care plans. Their proposals differ in scope, complexity and cost. Most analysis of those plans has been focused at the national level. The impact on a specific state has rarely been determined.

Based on research by Kenneth E. Thorpe, PhD, Emory University
Date: 2004

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Issue Brief: Respite Care
This document provides definitions, background information and statistics relating to respite care. It discusses key elements for successful programming and offers examples of model respite care programs.

Prepared by M. Ryan Barker, MSW, Missouri Foundation for Health
Date: Jan 2004

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Issue Brief: Social Marketing Campaigns
This paper offers a brief history and definitions from the field of social marketing. It includes relevant social marketing theories and models, elements of effective campaigns and examples of successful programs. The document concludes by reviewing the main components that can be used to successfully develop a social marketing campaign.

Prepared by M. Ryan Barker, MSW, Missouri Foundation for Health
Date: September 2003

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Issue Brief: Health Promotion for Youth
This paper outlines the basic premises on which health promotion is founded. This document provides a brief overview of the issue, key elements of success, definitions and explanations of concepts used within the field of health promotion and a discussion of general concepts that lead to effective programming. It features specific examples of successful health promotion programs targeted to youth.

Prepared by M. Ryan Barker, MSW, Missouri Foundation for Health
Date: May 2003

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Issue Brief: Case Management
This issue brief provides definitions and significant development from the field of case management. It discusses its role in health care and providers diagrams of case management as well as examples of successful programs.

Prepared by M. Ryan Barker, MSW, Kathryn DeForest, LCSW, and Leslie Reed, Missouri Foundation for Health
Date: April 2003

View the: PDF version