(From left) Ali Abdullahi, Kaftun Ahmed, Franka Miletic, and Anjana Chakkour, members of the team of Community Health Workers at Massachusetts General Hospital's Chelsea Healthcare Center stand in front of the center. The workers seek to reduce healthcare barriers which are posed for patients by language and cultural differences. (AEM Chelsea MA story image)
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
Ballot Measures blog illustration

How the Ballot Measure Process Strengthens Democracy and Health Equity

The ballot measure process gives marginalized communities a direct way to shape policies that affect their health and wellbeing.

5-min read

Health Disparities Policy and Law
Blog Post

How Philanthropy Can Help Position Leaders with Lived Experience for Success

Leaders who have firsthand knowledge of their communities and understand their specific needs and strengths are known as proximate leaders. Philanthropy can support them in numerous ways.

1-min read

Public and Community Health
Brief
A man and young boy stand together outside smiling.

Increasing Community Resilience for Climate-Related Events Through Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure, like parks, street trees, and shrubs on rooftops, improves air quality, reduces flooding and heat islands, improves water quality, and promotes community resilience in the face of extreme weather.

2-min read

Public and Community Health Policy and Law Climate Change & Climate Action
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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. 

Aligning Systems for Health

Focusing on identifying, testing, and sharing what works to align healthcare, public health, and social services to better address the needs of the people and communities they serve.

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

Public Health Forward

Improve the health of communities by strengthening and advocating for local health departments.

Learn more about naccho
Group of multi-ethnic women walking down the stairs of gym.

Culture of Health Prize

The RWJF Culture of Health Prize honors communities at the forefront of addressing structural racism and other structural injustices to advance health, opportunity, and equity for all.

9-min read

Learn more about the Prize