Case Study: Institute for eHealth Equity achieves high SMS engagement and zero opt-outs with Upland Software

Institute for eHealth Equity - Customer Case Study

The Institute for eHealth Equity tackled a persistent problem: how to deliver vital health information to underserved communities and people of color who face system-based barriers to care and are disproportionately affected by chronic disease. Traditional outreach channels weren’t reaching these groups, so the Institute sought a culturally trusted way to connect, engage, and drive behavior change.

Their pilot Text 4 Wellness program paired SMS messaging with faith-based partners—pastors promoted a keyword (HEALTHY) from the pulpit and congregations were encouraged to opt in. Supported by church materials, local “health ministers,” and small incentives, the six-month pilot attracted thousands of subscribers, achieved a 43% response rate to interactive messages, recorded zero opt-outs, and collected demographic and behavioral data from nearly 700 respondents. The campaign demonstrated that trusted messengers boost engagement and the program is now being extended to new priorities like infant mortality.

Institute for eHealth Equity

Silas Buchanan

CEO