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Health Equity

At Fidelis Care, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy life. It’s our mission to ensure New Yorkers have access to high-quality healthcare, so they can get the care they need when they need it.

But many other factors contribute to an individual’s health and wellness beyond access to healthcare. Socioeconomic conditions can influence health risks and outcomes. Poverty, food insecurity, housing instability, education, employment, access to transportation and other circumstances contribute to health disparities among underserved and vulnerable populations.

Fidelis Care is committed to removing those barriers to health to improve access, quality, and affordability. It is an ongoing process that requires working together with our members, providers, and community-based organizations to support fair and just opportunities to equal access to healthcare.

Learn more about our different approaches to improve health equity:


Key partnerships

Wellness commitment to Buffalo Urban League

To nurture social entrepreneurship, facilitate wellness, and strengthen organizations focused on Black, Indigenous and People of Color in Buffalo’s East Side, Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation donated $1.1 million to the Buffalo Urban League (BUL) to help establish its new headquarters and develop a Wellness and Entrepreneurial Center.

In addition, Fidelis Care partners with BUL through community programs and at events held in the city focused on health, family support and stabilization services, foster care, adoption, education, job training, employment, scholarships, and more.

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Mental health alliance with The Jed Foundation

As part of our behavioral health efforts, Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation awarded $1.1 million to The Jed Foundation (JED) to protect the mental health of New York State’s youth.

Through the funding, JED will expand its current services, providing at least five youth-serving community-based organizations (CBOs) with consultation or strategic planning services, including expert guidance, educational workshops, and training programs, equipping young people with life skills and connecting them to mental healthcare when they are in distress.

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More Health Equity News


Fidelis Care and Partners Bring Healthy Cooking Demonstrations to the Rochester Public Market
5/31/2024 • Posted by Fidelis Care in Health-Related Social Needs, In The Community

Fidelis Care, Wellcare, and partners Cornell Cooperative Extension and the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Wilmot Cancer Institute launched a series of free healthy cooking demonstrations at the Rochester Public Market this spring. The May event focused on the observances of Mental Health Awareness Month, National Women’s Health Week, and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Nutrition Educator Iluminada Vilca shared healthy eating tips with the audience. “Today, we are making Very Berry Muesli,” Vilca said. “It’s full of antioxidants and vitamins and whole grains. Perfect for breakfast. It has dried fruits. It has nuts. It has oats. Some dairy, which is yogurt and milk. This recipe helps our brain with oils in the nuts, the fruits have healthy antioxidants, and the dairy and whole grains complement our gut health.”

Wilmot Cancer Institute Senior Regional Outreach Manager Sarah Merritt said, “Our diet is so important in disease prevention, and we are so happy to partner with Fidelis Care to bring this information to the community. We are also giving away free sunscreen to those who attend our cooking demonstrations. We recommend 30 SPF for all skin types and colors. Everybody should be wearing it.”

Fidelis Care and Wellcare representatives also were on hand to share health insurance information. "We’re here to answer questions and help people who need to enroll or renew their insurance," Fidelis Care Community Relations Specialist Jayslynn Antonetti said. " Our message here is that healthy eating and maintaining consistent health insurance coverage are two critical pieces for overall health.”

Upcoming events at the Rochester Public Market include August 24 focused on Kids Eat Right Month, National Immunization Awareness Month, and veterans outreach. The September 21 event observes Healthy Aging Month, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month. Events run 9 AM to noon in the Rochester Public Market demonstration kitchen, indoor shed B, 280 Union Street, Rochester.