Health, Wealth, and Opportunity

“We are part of an interconnected world, so how do we look at these interconnected forces and think systematically?” This was one of many thoughts shared by Helene Gayle, president emerita of Spelman College, at this year’s Golub Capital Social Impact Lab Annual Lecture, Health, Wealth, and Opportunity: The Systems That Shape Our Lives.

Golub Capital, the namesake and sponsor of the Golub Capital Social Impact Lab and annual lectures, aims to make nonprofits more effective by providing individualized resources, funding for internal capacity-building projects, connections to unlock social capital, technical assistance, and leadership development opportunities.

Gayle and Karen Freeman-Wilson, president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, drew from their backgrounds in public health, policy, and nonprofit leadership to discuss barriers to health and wealth, and how organizations and leaders can work to expand access to opportunities for underserved communities.

Why Holistic Healthcare Matters

Gayle began by reflecting on her work as a physician, and the obstacles her patients faced when trying to receive care. “When kids were coming in and out of the clinic, it was less about their health and healthcare and more about the circumstances they found themselves in: homelessness, poor nutrition, etc.,” she said. “It was very clear that we didn’t have a system to help people navigate that.”

Informed by her 17 years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, her career focus gradually shifted from treating individual patients to addressing the systems that affect their lives. According to Gayle, about 80 percent of disparities in health are caused by the social determinants of health, such as access to a safe environment and a quality education. She noted that systems in the United States are often siloed, making it difficult to connect patients with the assistance they need and to provide comprehensive care. “Obamacare [the Affordable Care Act] was a huge step forward,” Gayle said. “But what that created was more of an insurance system instead of a health system. We still don’t have a health system that’s seamless. We need to stop thinking about health as a form of payment and start thinking holistically.”

The Determinants of Wealth

Gayle and Freeman-Wilson emphasized that access to education is one of the most powerful determinants of health and wealth, and that funding educational institutions is imperative. Community colleges and trade schools open the door to higher education, and internships provide real-world experience that helps students become more employable after graduation. 

Housing is another key determinant of longevity and wealth. Gayle shared that wealth building in the US often starts with homeownership, but rising housing prices threaten that access to stability. “But just being housed, even if you’re not able to buy a home, is huge,” she says, “You can’t do anything without an address. And if we can do more to allow people to purchase a home, we can create that wealth building.”

Building a Future of Prosperity 

When asked how nonprofit leaders can create lasting change and advocate for their communities, Gayle encouraged attendees to start with the groups and organizations they’re a part of and voice their ideas: “Little by little, it makes a difference.”

She also spoke about her experience as former president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust and shared how she garnered support for policies and actions that sought to narrow the city’s wealth gap. Her success came down to how she framed the problem to stakeholders: “If you have two-thirds of your population struggling, you can’t move forward as a whole. The numbers matter.” 

Gayle and Freeman-Wilson closed by sharing their hopes for the future and the trust they place in young leaders and the people of Chicago. Gayle ended the evening with advice to business school students: “Markets have an important role to play, but they’re not everything. Make money, but use it well.”