A Stronger Story for Health

In partnership with KFF, MFH launches the Midwest News Bureau in alignment with our commitment to ensure Missourians have access to local reporting on the health issues that matter most.

Every community has a story that deserves to be told.

The rural hospital forced to close its labor and delivery ward, leaving expectant parents to travel hours for care or go without. Medicaid coverage for thousands affected by policy decisions made in Jefferson City. Independent pharmacies – once trusted pillars of small towns – shutting down at record rates, eliminating access to care and trusted relationships built over generations.

And then there are the stories of people coming together to advocate for change. The grassroots coalition demanding accountability for radioactive waste in their neighborhood. Organizers who fought to raise the minimum wage and secure earned sick leave through the ballot box, with the backing of voters. And the fact that some lawmakers are now working to roll back these hard-won victories, undermining the will of the people and threatening the very policies that support working families.

These stories aren’t isolated. They are windows into how systems, policies, and people collectively shape the health and well-being of entire communities.

Throughout our 25-year history, Missouri Foundation for Health has worked to improve health across our state. A cornerstone of this work has been our commitment to addressing a critical but often overlooked determinant of health: access to factual, nuanced reporting that helps communities understand and advocate for their well-being.

While we’ve supported local journalism for much of our 25-year history, we deepened our commitment in 2019 through a major collaboration with KFF to launch the Midwest News Bureau in St. Louis. This partnership brought high-quality health journalism to the region and elevated Midwest stories to a national audience. We’ve continued to build on this momentum by supporting a range of newsrooms and projects working to inform and connect communities.

In an era where misinformation spreads quickly and trust in institutions is waning, local journalism plays an essential role in safeguarding democracy and improving public health. It holds elected officials accountable, amplifies voices of communities pushing for change, and gives Missourians accurate information they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their communities.

That’s why we remain committed to supporting Missouri newsrooms. Because when people have information, they have the power to transform the systems that impact their lives.

At Missouri Foundation for Health, we believe that a stronger, healthier Missouri begins with a stronger story – one where every community is seen, heard, and equipped with the information it needs to thrive.