Individual health is shaped by many economic and social factors such as income, education, access to high-quality health care, geography, and race and ethnicity. Uneven access to conditions that are needed for good health across the United States has been well documented, as have the poor effects on health that result — not only for individuals but also for their families and society.

The National Academy of Medicine’s Culture of Health Program, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is a multiyear collaborative effort to identify strategies to create and sustain conditions that support equitable good health for everyone in America. Since launching, the program released a consensus study on how communities can promote health equity in their local settings, launched three additional consensus studies, held a nationwide community art project, developed a community documentary series, and traveled the country to learn how communities are promoting health equity on the ground. Upcoming activities and tools include an art project inspired by young leaders across the nation, an online resource hub, and additional public workshops.

Please visit the Culture of Health homepage for more information.