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.

Strengthening Our Public and Community Health

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.

Related News and Insights

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

Blog Post
New Jersey montage.

How Newark Harnessed the Power of Partnerships During the Pandemic

From vaccinations at bus stops to leveraging social media, citizens of Newark, New Jersey banded together to advance health equity during the pandemic.

5-min read

Public and Community Health Structural Racism
Blog Post
Three girls sitting in a park.

Can Your Community’s Story Inspire Action

Apply for the Culture of Health Prize by March 29! Winners will receive a range of resources and supports including a $250,000 award.

4-min read

Public and Community Health
Blog Post
Public health illustration.

The Future of Public Health: Three Things to Watch for in 2023

To strengthen response to current and future pandemics, local policymakers and public health officials need to cut through red tape. Here are three things that may impact their ability to do so this year.

4-min read

Public and Community Health
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Featured Initiatives

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

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

RWJF Culture of Health Prize

The RWJF Culture of Health Prize honors and elevates U.S. communities working at the forefront of advancing health and equity for all.

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

County Health Rankings and Roadmaps

This national program highlights the many social and economic factors that influence health and shows how health is influenced by where we live, learn, work and play. The program also offers tools to understand the data and strategies that communities can use to move from education to action.

Learn more
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - MAY 04, 2011: Many homes were destroyed when a powerful tornado hit Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

National Health Security Preparedness Index (NHSPI)

Is our nation and its people prepared for, protected from, and resilient in the face of health threats or incidents with potentially negative health consequences? The NHSPI helps prepare us with relevant and actionable information

Learn more

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. 

2023 Culture of Health Prize

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Wed, 29 Mar 2023, 3:00 p.m. ET

Apply Now

Healthy Eating Research

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Wed, 5 Apr 2023, 3:00 p.m. ET

Apply Now
A nurse takes a patient's blood pressure during a medical home visit.

Evidence for Action: Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open

Apply Now
A nurse takes a patient's blood pressure during a medical home visit.

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

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open

Apply Now