Vermont Public Health Institute

Founded in 2013, the VtPHI was originally conceived through the collaborative efforts of leaders at the Vermont Public Health Association (VtPHA), University of Vermont College of Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Center Community Health Improvement Program, and the Vermont Department of Health.  In 2022, VtPHI underwent a comprehenive strategic planning process.  Starting in 2023, Health Resources in Action serves as the administrative, operational, and strategic home for VtPHI. VtPHI is a member of the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI).

Read our case statement for funders
Project planning

VtPHI is the only Vermont-wide organization founded to support non-centralized work to address health inequities. In its essence, the VtPHI recognizes and celebrates that each locality possesses assets with which it can address its unique challenges. As a grassroots organization, we have the agility to engage and empower communities. We meet people where they are, knowing that each community has its own level of readiness. We value and center people’s living or lived experiences and see our work as collaborative instead of authoritative.

The Institute’s mission is to promote innovative approaches to health equity through community-based and evidence-informed strategies to improve the health of all Vermonters. We have been fulfilling our mission, in part, by supporting community-led coalitions. These coalitions include people from marginalized groups, such as individuals living with disabilities, people with low incomes, those who identify as LGBTQIA+, and Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). We encourage coalitions to use quantitative and qualitative data to determine which challenges to address first. From those assessments, local coalitions create their own unique processes and implement community projects that address health inequities.

Vermont Population Health Plan

VtPHI draws inspiration for our work from this comprehensive report completed by the Population Health Workgroup under the State Innovation Model Grant.

Click Here for plan