Health Betterment Initiative
Twenty years of data driven public health and screening services to our most underserved and vulnerable populations.

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Health Betterment Initiative (HBI) is redefining community health by bringing primary care-level testing, health education, patient navigation, and wellness services directly to the people who need them most. Originally founded to address hepatitis and HIV, HBI has evolved into a comprehensive health organization focused on preventing and identifying infectious, metabolic, and chronic diseases through accessible, community-based care. By embedding medical providers, phlebotomists, and trusted Community Health Workers in places such as shelters, food pantries, schools, and community organizations, HBI removes barriers to care while providing immediate testing, education, and connections to treatment. Guided by data, strengthened by innovative use of AI, and rooted in culturally responsive relationships, HBI empowers individuals to better understand their health, take preventive action, and navigate complex healthcare systems. Through this unique whole-person approach, HBI is improving health outcomes, reducing disparities, and making quality healthcare more accessible for underserved communities.

Upcoming Events

HBI 5k/10k Race

Join us for the Health Betterment Initiative 5K 10K Race on
Saturday, December 5, 2026 in the heart of historic Georgetown.
Open to all ages and abilities. Walkers, strollers, and dogs are welcome. Learn more and register here.

HBI Public Health Screening and Navigation Report

Health Betterment Initiative brings as much prevention, testing, education, navigation, and care as possible directly to the community without outsourcing responsibility, without waiting, and without losing the human connection.

Read the 2025 Annual Report >>

Our Mission

Health Betterment Initiative meets people where they are by providing trusted screening, education, and navigation to care, while using data to guide our work, improve outcomes, and ensure communities move from awareness to access and lasting health.

Our Vision

We envision a future where communities are empowered with the knowledge and tools to understand complex health conditions, advocate for themselves, and access care independently, building sustainable health outcomes beyond intervention.

Our Impact Since 2006

161494

individuals were provided in-person and online education

35026

at-risk individuals screened for Hepatitis B

38948

at-risk individuals were screened for Hepatitis C since 2013

39335

at-risk individuals were screened for HIV since 2016

Who We Are

Primary care-level testing to the community.
Most outreach programs offer education or rapid testing. HBI brings the kind of bloodwork people would receive at their first primary care visit, including diabetes screening, CBCs, and other essential labs, directly to the community. For many individuals, this is the first time they have ever received this level of testing.

We don’t just screen, we create an entry point into real care.
We act immediately.
Because phlebotomists are part of our team, we can move quickly from rapid testing to confirmatory testing without delay. This reduces loss to follow-up and eliminates the common gap between “finding out” and “doing something about it.”

Speed matters when trust is fragile.
Health is mobile, so are we.
We don’t wait for people to come to us. We go to language schools, food pantries, shelters, and community spaces, where trust already exists. Health should not depend on transportation, time off work, or navigating unfamiliar systems.
We explain complex conditions in plain language.
We translate medical complexity into understanding. For example, while clinicians may use terms like MASH and MASLD, in the community we say fatty liver disease, then explain where it starts, how it progresses, and how prevention fits in. Education starts at the organ level, not the acronym level.
Insurance navigation is part of health.
Health literacy without insurance literacy doesn’t work. We help people understand premiums, deductibles, medical vs. dental coverage, and how to actually use insurance. There is no manual when people enroll. HBI fills that gap so coverage becomes a foundation, not a barrier.
Our teams reflect the communities we serve.
Through HBI Pro, we use peers and community-reflective teams, especially for LGBTQIA+ populations, people experiencing homelessness, and individuals facing stigma or language barriers. Representation isn’t optional; it’s essential to engagement.