Promoting Policy Tools That Advance Health and Racial Equity
Racial and health equity are not just moral imperatives, they are good for our economy, good for our communities, and good for our health.
RWJF is committed to promoting and protecting inclusive policymaking and ballot measure access—two tools of democracy that are critical to achieving a world where health is not a privilege for some but a right for all.
How Does RWJF Support Inclusive Policymaking?
Inclusive policymaking repairs the long-standing impacts of racism and other forms of discrimination, making health systems more effective and just for everyone. For example, providing doula support during pregnancy as a means of improving Black maternal health leads to lower C-section rates and less postpartum anxiety and depression for all pregnant patients. Yet such policies and practices are being challenged in courts and legislatures across the country. Through legal advocacy, storytelling, and cross-sector partnerships, RWJF is supporting our partners in defending inclusive policymaking, and building thriving communities where good health is within reach for everyone, no matter their race, gender, or zip code.
How Does RWJF Support Ballot Measure Access?
Ballot measures have been used across states to improve the lives of families and communities. In the past five years alone, ballot measures have been used to expand Medicaid, increase minimum wage, protect abortion access, and institute paid leave. While voters are approving important health-focused policies, efforts to restrict ballot measure access are increasing. To protect access to this crucial tool for advancing health and wellbeing, RWJF is supporting and convening national and state partners working on non-lobbying advocacy, organizing, public education, litigation, and research.
From the Blog
Why We Are Defending Policy Tools That Advance Equity
5-min read
Race-Conscious Policymaking: A Key Way Forward for Health Equity
5-min read
How the Ballot Measure Process Strengthens Democracy and Health Equity
5-min read
Partner Spotlight
Advancing racial and health equity policy together.
Arkansas Public Policy Panel
Works to achieve social and economic justice in Arkansas by organizing and supporting local community groups to advocate for equitable public policies. Through education, leadership development, and coalition building, the Panel helps everyday Arkansans become powerful advocates, ensuring their voices shape decisions that impact their lives and communities.
Partner Resources
Created by our grantee partners to advance racial and health equity
Advancing Health Equity: Myths vs. Facts, NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Health Equity Community Collaborative. What health equity professionals should know about anti-equity and anti-gender executive orders
Advocacy and Action to Defend Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Across States, American Pride Rises. A tracker of diversity, equity, and inclusion legislation
American Pride Rises Talking Points on Making the Case for DEI, American Pride Rises. Messaging on why diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Messaging Guide, Raben. Research on diversity, equity, and inclusion messaging and what narratives work
Executive Order Response Center, Democracy Forward. Real-time updates on federal executive actions
Executive Orders on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: FAQs, Act for Public Health. FAQs to understand anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion executive order objectives, limits, and impacts on public health practice
11-State Ballot Initiative Attitudes Research, Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. Key findings exploring voter attitudes towards citizen-initiated policymaking in their states
READI Transformative Actions to Advance Race-Explicit Grantmaking, ABFE. Smart, achievable, and replicable actions to help the philanthropic sector better withstand current and future threats to race-explicit grantmaking and racial equity
The DOJ’s “Guidance on Unlawful Discrimination” - What You Need to Know, Developed by a consortium of legal advocacy organizations. Provides an overview of activities that federally-funded organizations can still engage in to ensure equal opportunity
Related News and Insights
How Equity Strategies Can Make Healthcare Better for Everyone
Everyone wants high quality, respectful, and affordable healthcare. When doctors and hospitals seek to reduce racial disparities in health, they often fix persistent problems that affect all patients. This brief includes evidence and examples that demonstrate how equity strategies lead to better care for everyone.
Direct Democracy And Population Health: Making Health Policy Through State Ballot Initiatives
This brief offers a unique look at how ballot initiatives have played an important role in state-level discourse and policymaking related to health over the course of the past decade.