Baby girl age 0-1 sitting on ground with mom or grandmother smiling with trees in background.
Three people of diverse ethnic backgrounds stand together.

HEALTH SYSTEMS

RWJF supports programs that are helping to expand our thinking about community partnerships that work together to pursue public and community health. 

We believe improving public and community health requires linking systems like hospitals, schools and health departments with community organizations, urban planners and developers, and business. Improving public and community health requires a commitment to health equity to ensure everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. 

Construction staff and community officials discuss plans for a new grocery store.

Working with Community Partners to Advance Equity in Public Health

Related News and Insights

Read expert perspectives and the latest research from RWJF to explore the opportunities and complexities of this topic.

Blog Post
Statue of Liberty with mask and stethoscope illustration.

Two Keys to Advancing Health Equity for Immigrants

Civic engagement and equity-centered data foster a society that advances health and wellbeing for immigrants.

5-min read

Public and Community Health
Blog Post
Healthy communities illustration.

Who Finances Healthy Communities

When people establish roots, make friendships, raise families, and participate in activities like volunteering or mentoring, a place becomes a community

5-min read

Public and Community Health
Brief
A mother sitting with young child drinking water in front of fireplace.

Improving Community Water Infrastructure

A $5 million loan from RWJF to Communities Unlimited, a nonprofit community development financial institution, is enabling them to provide loans to water utilities in seven Southern states.

3-min read

Public and Community Health Air and Water Quality
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Featured Initiatives

RWJF funds many initiatives in support of our vision for a Culture of Health. For this area of focus, these initiatives were selected to demonstrate grantmaking that is helping us achieve the greatest impact. 

Buncombe is working with "tailgate markets" and larger farmer's markets to accept EBT food assistance in exchange for healthy foods.

Aligning Systems for Health

Carol Prevost, Polly, and her father Allen Workman, patients at St. Peter Family Practice, Olympia, Washington. Improving Chronic Illness Care

Public Health Forward

Group of multi-ethnic women walking down the stairs of gym. Three females in sportswear leaving the gym.

Culture of Health Prize

The Prize celebrates communities where people and organizations are collaborating to build positive solutions to barriers that have created unequal opportunities for health and wellbeing.

9-min read

Current Grant Opportunities

We realize that building a Culture of Health will take unprecedented collaboration and a deeper understanding of where barriers exist and how to overcome them.

We have previously funded opportunities in this area of focus with the goal to strengthen and advance health equity, and we have more work to do. 

Evidence for Action: Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open

Apply Now

Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open

Apply Now