University of Missouri – St. Louis

Too often, organizations and policymakers rely solely on numbers to understand impact —overlooking the lived experiences behind the data. While statistics reveal the scale of a problem, they rarely tell us why issues persist, how they affect real people, or what solutions communities actually need. 

Together with UMSL, we are closing this gap through an experiential data pilot that uplifts community voices and makes qualitative insights more accessible and actionable. This initiative affirms that stories, experiences, and advocacy are essential forms of knowledge—equally valuable as numbers, maps, and reports. 

This work is helping us develop tools and practices that: 

• Connect qualitative insights across projects offering a fuller, more human-centered picture of community health and well-being. 
• Align lived experiences with traditional data sources, helping decision-makers understand context and design more effective solutions. 
• Prioritize accessibility and responsible use, so that community members, advocates, and policymakers can engage with this knowledge to drive meaningful change. 

Together, CHCM, UMSL, and core partners—including Humans of St. Louis and Saint Louis University—are advancing a new model of data justice: one where every story counts and every voice matters in the fight for health equity

Learn more about how we’re reimagining data and lived experience.

In partnership with UMSL’s Political Science Department and Political Science Academy, we have co-sponsored a series of town halls and community forums on: 

• Health equity and systemic change 
• Ballot initiatives that impact public health 
• Grassroots advocacy and civic engagement 

These events bring together students, community members, and policymakers to discuss the most pressing health challenges in our region. 

See upcoming events.

Through a workforce development pipeline, we collaborate with UMSL’s nursing program to equip future health professionals with the tools to:

• Advocate for patients and communities.
• Understand health disparities and regional outcomes.
• Apply Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Care (EC-TIC) in their practice.

By integrating advocacy and education, we are shaping a health care system that works for everyone.