The California Endowment and the Rockefeller Foundation are initiating a $16 million program aimed at making people in poor California communities healthier by creating more jobs statewide.

The California Works for Better Health program is based on research that shows steadily-employed people are healthier than those not working. Research also indicates that those who earn more money are healthier than those earning less, a California Foundation press release reports.

The joint venture aims to link low-income communities with regional labor markets. Programs may include networks for job training and career advancement, entrepreneurship support and partnerships between companies, government and unions.

Gordon Conway, president of the Rockefeller Foundation, says the program's goal is as a "viable approach" to improving the health of poor people.

The first part of the California Works for Better Health project will concentrate on finding partner groups to collect and analyze data regarding health and employment.

Participating organizations will be supported with operating grants and dedicated technical assistance funds. The goal is to have participating community-based groups linked at the end of a three-year period.