Cone Health Investing $150 Million Over the Next Five Years to Bring Better Health to East Greensboro and Underserved Areas

The call is for others to join the effort.

Greensboro – Cone Health is laying a financial cornerstone to improve the health and well-being of people who live in areas with substantially lower life expectancies than those in other areas it serves. Over the next 5 years, the health network will invest $150 million in Alamance, Forsyth, Randolph, Rockingham and Guilford counties towards this goal. Initial projects will include a medical office complex in East Greensboro and health and wellness programs through a partnership with the City of Greensboro. 

Residents in these communities suffer disproportionately from high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and other treatable or preventable ailments to the point that it reduces how long they live. Last year, Cone Health stated its goal of “reducing a 15-year gap in life expectancy by five years over five years” through its CATCH 5 in 5 efforts.

Cone Health CEO Dr. Mary Jo Cagle points out that even this major investment won’t address all the needs of these communities. “But partnerships can. We thank the City of Greensboro, North Carolina A&T State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and other organizations already supporting our CATCH 5 in 5 program. I encourage others to join us through their investments or through philanthropy in ours.” Cone Health has spent millions over the past decade providing transportation assistance, mobile medicine clinics, community health fairs and other forms of outreach to people in these areas. This effort strives for a permanent response.

Cone Health says it is still too soon to know exactly how the total investment will be spent. The proposed medical office complex could house urgent care, primary care, pharmacy, radiology, lab and preventive health and wellness services. Other facilities and digitally connected health hubs could be conveniently located in both rural and urban areas. Next steps include research in these communities with key stakeholders to help tailor specific services and facilities to those populations.

The City of Greensboro is reconstructing or remodeling several east Greensboro facilities and Cone Health will invest substantial dollars to add medical services.

• Windsor Chavis Nocho Community Complex: The City and Cone Health are exploring collaborative opportunities including the possibility of hosting Sagewell Health & Fitness programs. Sagewell offers medically supervised fitness programs as well as wellness and health education programs. This new, innovative facility is slated to open in late 2026.
• Vance Chavis Library: Cone Health is exploring the possibility of using the Chavis Library to create a community health hub that will connect people with primary care and specialists virtually. It is also considering hosting wellness programs.
• Warnersville Recreation Center: A variety of health and wellness programs sponsored by Cone Health will be offered at the facility.

“Good health is essential for thriving, vibrant communities,” says Mae Douglas, Cone Health Board of Trustees Chair. “And good health begins with people being able to find health care in their community. This investment will bring much needed services to these areas and renews Cone Health’s promise of better health and longer lives for all.”