Health in Small and Midsize Cities

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is supporting the efforts of small and midsize cities across the nation to develop solutions that effectively leverage local resources and strengths. This feature highlights the importance of understanding smaller cities’ strengths, challenges, and opportunities in achieving health and wellbeing for all.

What Works for Health

A County Health Rankings' tool helping communities identify what policy and system changes may be the best fit to address local health needs.

Visit the program website

Housing Solutions Lab

The Lab at the NYU Furman Center helps small and midsize cities plan, launch, and evaluate evidence-based local housing policies that advance racial equity; increase access to opportunity; and improve long-term health and wellbeing for residents.

Learn more about housing solutions

Featured Initiatives

Evaluating Progress in Midsize Cities

A report from Mt. Auburn Associates evaluates the progress and team-based outcomes of 50 midsize cities participating in Invest Health.

Laboratories for Change

When looking for laboratories of urban development and resilience—check what’s happening in smaller cities.

In Buffalo, A Bustling Food Enterprise Emerges

Residents in Buffalo are turning an abandoned manufacturing building into an enterprise for new food choices in the community.

Strengthening Equity and Environmental Health

The Healthy Neighborhoods Equity Fund project helps promote equity and strengthens community and environmental health.

Where You Live Matters to Your Health

A tool shows how where you live—down to the census tract level—affects your estimated life expectancy at birth.

Advancing Leadership in Smaller Cities

Across New England, the Working Cities Challenge is advancing collaborative leadership in smaller cities to transform the lives of their low-income residents.

Grantee Stories

Richmond, VA COH 2017. Kendrell (name of both son and father) and Arshae Jackson (sister) play basketball. Chimborazo Playground is a neighborhood park where kids and adults alike congregate to workout and play. It's a friendly environment that feels wholesome and safe. The park is expansive at 30 acres and was renovated in 2009.
2017 Culture of Health Prize Winner

Richmond, Virginia

Organizations from across Richmond, Virginia, are coming together to create agency and opportunity for all residents, empowering them to make healthy choices and forge pathways out of poverty.

Health Disparities
A young girl playing on a playground jungle gym.
2016 Culture of Health Prize Winner

Manchester, New Hampshire

In the largest city in northern New England, public officials and private sector leaders have taken a data-driven, block-by-block approach to better health.
Public and Community Health

Related Content

From the Blog

Making Data Accessible For Small Communities

An online resource helps community leaders see where their city or neighborhood stands on key measures of health, such as obesity, as well as drivers of health, such as housing affordability and graduation rates.

Read the post
Granville and Vance Counties, N.C. Signs of Progress Toward Reversing the Childhood Obesity Epidemic Counties report declines in obesity among youths ages 2-18
RWJF Topic

Built Environment and Health

Learn how programs around the nation are helping to make communities healthier, and to make it easier for people to lead healthier lives.
Built Environment and Health
A homeowner standing on her front porch.
Library

Housing and Health

Creating safe, affordable, and equitable housing and neighborhood conditions help everyone in a community reach their best possible health and wellbeing.
Housing
Three cyclists crossing the street.
Library

Infrastructure and Energy

Promoting health equity through public infrastructure is a critical step toward creating communities and regions where all residents may participate in, and benefit from, decisions that shape the places they call home.
Infrastructure & Energy