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Missourians Point to Good Jobs, Belonging as Indicators of Good Health, Missouri Foundation for Health Poll Finds

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For Immediate Release 
March 12, 2026 

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – Missourians overwhelmingly agree that living a healthy life requires more than access to medical care. According to a statewide survey, Speak Up MO, commissioned by Missouri Foundation for Health, residents view good jobs, quality schools and libraries, low levels of crime, and treating people with respect as essential for building healthy communities.

The poll surveyed more than 1,800 Missourians, and conducted focus groups with roughly 70 community members, gauging their views on a range of issues including physical and mental health, civic engagement, the economy, financial well-being, and belonging. The findings offer a look at Missourians’ priorities and concerns about what they need to thrive.

Key findings include:

● Cost of living and the cost of health care continue to be dominant concerns for Missourians.
● 97% of Missourians view high-quality jobs as the primary factor for a healthy community.
● Most Missourians report a feeling of belonging in their community, but some groups, notably Latinos and LGBTQ+ Missourians feel that way at much lower rates.
● More than half of Missourians experienced mental strain last year. Those reporting difficulty accessing mental health care increased from 39% in 2024 to 52% in 2025.
● Just 10% of residents feel they can meaningfully impact or influence community decisions; this cuts across party lines.

“These findings reaffirm what we hear every day. Missourians know what it takes to build thriving communities,” said Sheldon Weisgrau, Vice President of Health Policy and Advocacy, Missouri Foundation for Health. “They want meaningful jobs with fair pay and good benefits, strong community connections, and access to affordable care, among other things. When we align our policy priorities around what Missourians say they value, we move closer to a Missouri where everyone has what they need to live their healthiest lives.”

Belonging
The data also outlined areas for elected officials and community leaders to further explore. For instance, Latino and LGBTQ+ residents reported lower rates of belonging than other groups surveyed. A strong sense of belonging supports overall health by increasing the likelihood that an individual perceives themselves as having places where they can access support and successfully manage the stressors of everyday life.

Health Care
The report also highlighted growing concerns around health care accessibility and affordability. Most Missourians rely on coverage through an employer, Medicare, or a spouse’s plan. Additionally, many respondents reported having a lapse in health care coverage at some point in the year. This means many may have gone without care, racked up medical debt, or redirected household funds to cover medical expenses.

Mental Health Care
At least 52% of residents reported mental strain last year, and more than half had difficulty accessing mental health care. This challenge was especially pronounced among marginalized groups, with 68% of Latinos, 67% of LGBTQ individuals, and 59% of women reporting difficulty. Black Missourians also cited health care discrimination, particularly in mental health.

About the Poll
This study was conducted in collaboration with bipartisan polling partners, FM3 Research and New Bridge Strategy, utilizing a combination of surveys conducted among 1,833 adult Missourians. The data was collected in English and Spanish via phone, online surveys, and in-person focus groups. The margin of sampling error was +/- 2.3@ at the 95% confidence level.

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Missouri Foundation for Health is building a more equitable future through collaboration, convening, knowledge sharing, and strategic investment. Working in partnership with communities and nonprofits, MFH is transforming systems to promote fairness within all aspects of health and addressing the social and economic factors that shape health outcomes.

 

 

On Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, United Women in Faith Remembers Struggle for Civil Rights

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NEW YORK – On March 7, 1965, over 600 men, women, and children began to march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., to protest the suppression of Black voters. Segregationists injured 58 people that day, from tear gas burns to skull fractures. After seeing this cruelty, demonstrators rose across the country and President Lyndon B. Johnson vowed to make the Voting Rights Act law. At the successful march two weeks later, over 25,000 people arrived at the state capitol in Montgomery.

In remembrance of the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the events surrounding it, United Women in Faith today issued the following statement, which can be attributed to its general secretary and CEO, Sally Vonner:

“United Women in Faith remembers the legacy of those who risked life and limb in pursuit of the right to vote. Although it has been 61 years since Bloody Sunday, we know that the fight for voting rights — and a truthful telling of our history — continues.

“In the same way that our foremothers and ancestors stood against segregation and fought for civil rights, we lift our voices today. We may not all feel the brunt of an officer’s baton, but we are still fighting against repressive forces who stand in opposition to voter access for all. Proposed and enacted legislation threatens access to voter registration and paths to the ballot box for many women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color. Our country’s history advocating for racial justice and civil rights has been labeled ‘divisive,’ and those in power are trying to hide it. We will raise our voices and take action to ensure we do not lose the lessons of our past.

“We share our appreciation for those who fought so women and people of color could exercise their right to vote, and we follow in their footsteps in pursuit of justice. We will not let their stories be erased or their work be undone.

“On this 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and every day, we honor the sacrifices of past generations and look ahead to the work that is left to be done. Each of us has a responsibility to pick up the torch and champion pathways to voting that are free and accessible to all.”

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United Women in Faith is the largest denominational organization for women in the United States.

Leading Reparations Expert Calls for Process Review on Washington Reparations Study

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OLYMPIA, Wash. — As Washington state looks to be the third state in the nation to pursue a statewide reparations study, Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter today released an open letter to Washington State Attorney General Nicholas Brown. Dr. Hunter is a professor of Sociology and African American Studies and the author of “Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation.”

This letter followed Dr. Hunter’s struggle to obtain a debrief and submit a protest regarding the process and selection in the State of Washington Department of Commerce’s Charles Mitchell and George Washington Bush Study on Reparative Action. His experiencing studying and contributing to reparations commissions situate him as a clear expert for the study, yet he was repeatedly denied the due process that he was entitled to.

As an esteemed academic with nationwide recognition for his reparations research and advocacy, Dr. Hunter raised concerns about the harms caused by procedural failures and performative equity when considering reparations.

“Reparations demand more than aspiration,” Dr. Hunter said. “They demand institutional courage. They demand procedural truth. This request is not about reversing an award. It is about safeguarding the architecture of justice at the very moment a state attempts to give it form.”

The open letter to State Attorney General Nicholas Brown is available in its entirety here: https://www.marcusanthonyhunter.com/rol

If you are interested in discussing this matter with Dr. Hunter further, please contact press@spotlightpr.org.

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Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter is a sociologist and public scholar whose work focuses on Black communities, urban policy, and reparative justice. He is the author of “Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation.”

Revolve Fund to Provide $20,000 to Support Food Access Efforts in Alabama Black Belt

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For Immediate Release

SELMA – As over 40 million Americans grappled with the reality of not being able to feed themselves or their families due to SNAP delays, Revolve Fund is seeking to help. Revolve Fund today announced a $20,000 community grant to the Black Belt Community Foundation as part of the duo’s continued partnership. The grant will increase the foundation’s capacity to execute programs and fundraise to support food access efforts in the Alabama Black Belt region.

“Revolve Fund complements its core mission of improving capital access for entrepreneurs by partnering with leading organizations that are addressing critical community needs,” said James Wahls, Founder and Managing Director, Revolve Fund. “Like BBCF, Revolve understands at the most fundamental level, everyone should have access to healthy food.”

“BBCF is deeply grateful for the Revolve Fund’s grant to underwrite direct food support in the Black Belt during the current disruption of SNAP benefits, continuing high food costs and unprecedented strain on our local food banks,” said Christopher Spencer, President & CEO, Black Belt Community Foundation. “As BBCF mobilizes resources and community partners during this time, Revolve is one of the first philanthropic organizations to step forward to support our Food for Families in the Black Belt Campaign. We look ahead to our productive, continued partnership with them to positively impact and transform the Black Belt region of Alabama.”

“While our communities need and deserve so much more, we hope our contribution will support the foundation’s ability to work with other philanthropic partners, individual donors, charities, and public partners.” Wahls added.

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470,000 Faces of Hunger: The Urgent Call to Save SNAP

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For Immediate Release
 
 
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Charles Coe, executive director and chief brand compliance officer of the Incredible Kids Learning Organization, today lamented the devastating impacts of the loss of SNAP benefits on children, child care providers and parents. Warning that parents are on a hamster wheel and lacking critical resources, he released the following statement:
 
“If child care providers, many of whom are already struggling, must now work in an environment where SNAP is not available to families they serve, the pain will be compounded. It’s terrifying for them, but also for parents.
 
“It is horrifying for parents to reckon with not being able to feed their children. It’s equally frightening for child care providers to question how they’ll care for kids in their program, at a time when so many lifeline services are being decimated.
 
 
“The loss of SNAP benefits will put more stress on parents and child care providers. Parents often pride themselves on being able to put food on the table. When they cannot do that, it strikes at the core of what it means to be a provider and protector.”
 
 
“We are already living in a period where parents are running on hamster wheels due to a lack of resources. Many parents feel that they may not have the biggest, most fabulous homes; but if they have food to feed their children, they’re content. The loss of SNAP benefits strips away everything that parents cherish.
 
 
“Meals are more than sustenance. Families bond over meals, share admiration for each other over meals, hear updates on the day, and plan the future. Simply put, the family unit is disrupted when there is no food. The love of parents is reflected in the meals they’re able to provide, in the notes they put in their children’s snack pack, and so much more. It is essential that our leaders do everything they can to ensure parents can feed their children.”
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The Scariest Halloween Ever: Child Care Educators Lament the Dire Predicament of Millions of Families

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For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Early child care educators and advocates today tried to image the scariest part of Halloween 2025, alternating between the government shutdown, the potential loss of SNAP benefits as well as possible Head Start cuts. Even before the shutdown, many families were tinkering on the brink of disaster. Many have yet to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Early childhood education advocates issued the following statement:

 

“Ninety percent of the families in our community are in distress,” said Ifrah Nur of Kids Count on Us in Minnesota. “They struggle every day just to meet their basic needs and are on the verge of losing their homes. The income they earn barely covers rent — just enough to keep a roof over their heads. If food assistance (SNAP) is taken away, I don’t know what will happen. Not being able to feed their children would create unimaginable hardship.”

“One parent told me her entire paycheck goes toward rent. After that, she has only $100 left, which must cover utilities,” Nur continued. “She’s a mother of four, without a car, and she can’t afford clothes or shoes for her children. She said, “If I don’t get food benefits this month, I’ll have to use my rent money to buy food. And if I do that, I’ll lose my home.” This is not okay. Families who already have nothing are being punished while those with wealth lose nothing during a government shutdown. The system must protect the most vulnerable — not take away the little support they have left.”
“The people we work with in Georgia will feel real, tangible, deep cuts of not only the government shutdown but proposed budget cuts,” said Erin Clark, an organizer with 9to5 Georgia. “We are seeing that many Head Start programs will face dire circumstances come November 1 when over 140 programs will not receive funding if the government shutdown continues. Not being able to access child care or Head Start programs will impact parents’ ability to go to work and to continue contributing to their workplaces.”
According to the First Five Years Fund, one in three child care providers is facing food insecurity. Losing access to SNAP will have massive ripple effects on the child care industry, both for families and for providers. Reports indicate that than 40 million Americans may go hungry due to a loss of SNAP benefits.
“We know that early childhood educators in Georgia largely rely on programs like SNAP, so we are going to see big impacts not just on families but also for our early childhood educators,” said Clark. “There are a number of providers who will pay from their own pockets to help subsidize child care for parents who may not be able to pay that child care bill week-to-week because they feel very deeply for these experiences that parents are going through. This government shutdown is just highlighting the continued need for long-term investment in child care so that our providers are able to respond to these moments and are better funded.”
“Hearing that families might not have access to food subsidies, means that we must figure out how we can support them,” said Tarrezz Thompson, an Ohio child care provider and advocate with The CEO Project. “We don’t want parents in a position where they’re having to make difficult choices [about how to eat].”
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Child Care Advocates Fear What Will Happen When SNAP Benefits Cease; Urge Action on Shutdown as Lifeline Programs Face Cuts

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For Immediate Release

SAVANNAH, GA – It’s been nearly one month since the federal government shutdown, and child care educators today voiced concern over the dire circumstances facing children, families and child care educators. With funds to programs like SNAP and Head Start running out, many providers fear the families they serve will be unable make ends meet. Erin Clark, a child care organizer with 9to5 Georgia; and Tarrezz Thompson, a child care provider in Ohio, expressed concern for the families they work with on a day-to-day basis. You can watch/listen to their comments here and here.

“The people we work with in Georgia will feel real, tangible, deep cuts of not only the government shutdown but proposed budget cuts,” said Erin Clark, an organizer with 9to5 Georgia. “We are seeing that many Head Start programs will be facing dire circumstances come November 1 when over 140 programs will not receive their funding if the government shutdown continues. Not being able to access child care, Head Start programs, will impact parents’ ability to go to work and to continue contributing to their workplaces.

“We also know that early childhood educators in Georgia largely rely on programs like SNAP, so we are going to see big impacts not just on families but also for our early childhood educators,” said Clark. “There are a number of providers who will pay from their own pockets to help subsidize child care for parents who may not be able to pay that child care bill week-to-week because they feel very deeply for these experiences that parents are going through. This government shutdown is just highlighting the continued need for long-term investment in child care so that our providers are able to respond to these moments and are better funded.” According to the First Five Years Fund, one in three child care providers is facing food insecurity. Losing access to SNAP will have massive ripple effects on the child care industry, both for families and for providers.

“Hearing that families will be in a place where they might not have access to food subsidies, means that we must figure out how we can support them,” said Tarrezz Thompson, an Ohio child care provider and advocate with The CEO Project. “We don’t

want to parents in a position where they’re having to make difficult choices [about how to eat].”

“This is not the first time I’ve had to operate in a space where we’re dealing with food insecurity with our children, but my program was in a more stable space when that was happening,” Thompson added.

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Despite Wins in a Handful of States, More Action is Needed on Child Care  

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For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Movement at the federal level on child care continues to stall amid partisan fights. What’s more, the Big Beautiful Bill Act will reduce states’ access to federal dollars for health and food nutrition. Now more than ever, organizers must passionately advocate for state investments in child care and other supportive services. This is the only way to keep young families whole.
Fortunately, grassroots organizers are pushing back on cuts and harmful policies to win change for children and families. Over the past several months, child care providers and advocates defeated policies that would have pushed child care out of reach for hundreds of thousands of individuals and families. Below is a list of some of the defensive gains. If you’d like to speak with any of the groups below, please let us know.
No matter how dire the moment, we know that we can win if we refuse to quit. These victories demonstrate that when parents, child care providers and advocates work together, they can move mountains on behalf of children and the early childhood educators who serve them.
“While children and families still live in a world where lifeline services – such as housing assistance, food assistance, and a fully-funded child care system – are undermined, we will not surrender hope,” said Lenice C. Emanuel, Executive Director of the Alabama Institute for Social Justice.
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The VRA at 60: the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is Both a Bedrock and a Target

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For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON – On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, author of “Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation,” and professor of sociology and African American studies at the University of California at Los Angeles, released the following statement:
“Representing a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 increased voter access and civic engagement, removing racially-motivated systemic barriers to the ballot box.
“As we mark the anniversary of this landmark legislation, we recognize the active attacks on democracy, voter suppression, and the inability to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Bill.
“Sixty years later, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is both bedrock and a target requiring vigilance and renewed commitment to defending and ensuring voting rights for all Americans. We uplift and venerate the legacy of all of the courageous people who marched from Selma to Montgomery and remind ourselves that democracy belongs to every citizen regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, background, or zip code.”
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Child Care Advocates Lament One Big Beautiful Bill Act as ‘Big Betrayal Act’

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For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON – At a time of rising costs, and escalating pressure, early childhood education advocates today reacted to the Senate’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“The passage of the reconciliation bill re-affirms the administration’s and congress’s assault on families across the country,” said Lorena Garcia, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition. “Families will hurt and suffer and in turn our communities will struggle to thrive. Senate leaders affirmed that the needs of everyday families must be sacrificed for the greed of the wealthy.”
Yale’s Budget Lab found that the bill will result in the bottom 40% of American households losing income, while the top 0.1% gain an extra $118,000. These giveaways to the ultra-wealthy, corporations, and Big Oil are coupled with billions of dollars for the already-bloated Pentagon budget and the Trump immigration agenda. This does not advance our child care agenda even marginally. 
“While Republicans prioritize tax breaks for billionaires, they’re simultaneously stripping away basic healthcare and support systems from those who need them most,” said Danielle Atkinson, Executive Director, Mothering Justice. “Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” should actually be called the “Big Betrayal Bill”—because if it’s passed into law the wealth gap in this country will widen to astronomical levels. Mothers of color and working families across the country did not elect their representatives to protect the ultra-wealthy. The GOP made one thing clear: if they are left in charge, working class families will always come last.
“Through their budget priorities, all three branches of government are putting their values on full display and the stakes for our communities couldn’t be higher,” said LaDon Love, executive director, SPACEs in Action.
“Make no mistake about it, this policy decision will reverberate across generations, making the difference between who can eat, who can care for their families, and who can otherwise survive,” said Lenice Emanuel, executive director, Alabama Institute for Social Justice.
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