Community Engagement | UC Davis Health

Community engagement

UC Davis Health in the community

We're proud to be actively involved in advancing health and health care throughout the Sacramento region by:

  • Investing resources in the community
  • Educating future health professionals who will serve the region
  • Supporting a variety of health improvement services and projects
  • Conducting research that improves lives
  • Contributing to the region’s economy and vitality through a talented workforce

UC Davis Health contributes expertise and funding to programs that elevate the health of our entire community. The 2022-2023 Community Benefits Report contains more detailed information about the UC academic health system’s investments in addressing local health care needs. Community programs supported are offered both inside and outside of UC facilities, and many are in partnership with state and local organizations.

UC Davis Health participates in, partners with, or sponsors more than 200 community events and programs annually focused on addressing health equity and barriers to better health.

In Fiscal Year 2023 (July 2022 – June 2023), UC Davis Health provided $840 million in community benefits. Community benefits included financial assistance (charity care) and subsidized care, services provided to Medi-Cal and Medicare patients where reimbursement doesn’t cover costs, health professions education, community health and wellness programs, and more.

Two UC Davis Health programs that support community-based organizations were highlighted in the annual University of California Health's community benefit report.

  • Free youth heart screenings
  • Daily food donations to WellSpace Health’s care transition center

The University of California Health's annual report provides an overview of the academic health system's investment in community benefits, which are programs or activities that provide treatment or promote health and healing in response to identified community needs.

More detailed information is available in the UC Health annual report, released on Nov. 12, 2024.

Highlights from Fiscal Year 2022 (PDF), Fiscal Year 2021 (PDF) and Fiscal Year 2020 (PDF) are also available.

Through the Art on Campus programs, we promote and highlight creative activity across the UC Davis Health campus. Art exhibits and galleries celebrate artistry, support expressions of individuality, and help reduce stress and improve wellness for patients, staff and the community.

Community Health Needs Assessment

Every three years, UC Davis Health collaborates with other local health systems on a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) report, which identifies and prioritizes the significant health needs of people living in the Sacramento region.