The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is working to build a Culture of Health.
Since 1972, RWJF has supported research and programs to uncover the many factors that impact health, and enable people and communities to be as healthy as possible. Working alongside public health leaders, entrepreneurs, research scientists, policymakers and community leaders, the Foundation is committed to ensuring that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to achieve better health where we live, learn, work and play.
The Ad Council, Business Roundtable, the CDC Foundation, the de Beaumont Foundation and RWJF announce the launch of the Health Action Alliance, a partnership between leading business, communications and public health organizations to strengthen and accelerate the business community’s response to COVID-19.
RWJF President and CEO Richard Besser and Executive Vice President Julie Morita explain that in many states, an overzealous focus on speed of COVID-19 vaccine rollout is leaving behind many of those who should be vaccinated most urgently.
Four former CDC directors advocate for the agency—which has been the world's gold standard for public health—and lay out what needs to happen to rebuild trust through this pandemic and beyond. When driven by science, unimpeded by politics and consistently funded, the CDC will be able to save lives and protect the economy when threats arrive.
RWJF President and CEO Richard Besser explains the importance of transparency, patience and vigilance in improving vaccine uptake, and ensuring that the ability to get vaccinated is not determined by one’s race, income or privilege.
Rich Besser advises we do all we can to keep children in school by providing the funds for proper staffing, equipment, protective gear and ventilation systems. Without these supports, we cannot expect schools to remain open.
Rich Besser explains that as the brutal COVID-19 winter looms, suffering in 2020 will continue well into the new year without actions by federal and state governments and a renewed commitment for people to follow public health guidance.
Melissa Blair
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation media@rwjf.org or (609) 627-5937
For general inquiries, please contact our main number:
U.S. Toll Free: (877) 843-7953
International: +1 (609) 627-6000
From the County Health Rankings and 500 Cities to the City Health Dashboard, browse data resources to support health journalism, no matter what your beat.
The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
Op-ed: We Need to Get Food Industry Dollars Out of Politics to Save Our Democracy —CivilEats
Post-Covid, Transit Agencies Must Look Beyond Ridership —CityLab