Quality Healthcare for All

Health equity: A fair chance to thrive

Axis Health System is firmly grounded in the communities of Southwest Colorado. We provide community-based care. Our services are open to all, regardless of their ability to pay.  Serving special populations is an important responsibility of our clinics. Our compassionate staff welcomes patients of all genders, ethnicities, races and socioeconomic levels. We believe everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Q: What are health disparities?

Axis Health System care teams recognize health disparities, and they work to make it easier for people to receive healthcare. According to Healthy People 2030, health disparities are a type of health difference that is linked with economic, social or environmental disadvantage. Health disparities negatively affect groups of people who have regularly experienced greater social or economic obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, age or mental health; cognitive, sensory, or physical disability; sexual orientation or gender identity; geographic location; or other characteristics linked to discrimination.

Q: What are Social Determinants of Health?

Health starts where we live, learn, work and play. Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are the conditions in our lives and environment. Our teams at Axis Health System believe that your opportunity for health starts long before you need medical care. Health is something that starts in our families, in our schools and workplaces, in our playgrounds and parks, and in the air we breathe and the water we drink. Scientists have found that the conditions in which we live and work have an enormous impact on our health, long before we ever see a doctor. It’s time we expand the way we think about health to include how to keep it – not just how to get it back. The more you see health in this way, the more opportunities you have to improve it.

Q: How does Axis address health disparities?

We adapt to meet the healthcare needs of all of our community members. Since 1960, Axis Health System has been there for you if you need emotional support. To clarify, we are designated as a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). In 2011, we evolved to help heal your body as well as your mind. For example, five of our clinics are now federally desinated Community Health Centers (CHCs). Both CMHCs and CHCs give everyone access to care – including people with economic, social or environmental disadvantages.  Southwest Colorado is also considered a Medically Underserved Area. This means in part that there are too few healthcare providers to serve our spread-out, rural communities – including many people with Medicaid and Medicare. Our clinics work to provide quality healthcare for all and meet our communities’ needs across the miles. We offer a sliding-fee scale and offer care for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.