Explore Health Equity and Social Justice Topics

Latest Resources

Changing the Vaccine Conversation Before It’s Too Late—What Can Philanthropy Do?

In July 2026, the United States reached a grim milestone when the number of confirmed cases of measles exceeded the total for all of 2025. On August 10, 2026, the White House issued an executive order directing changes to the federal childhood vaccine schedule and categories, and calls for availability of separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. The science has not changed, but the new framework could significantly slow down the delivery of protective immunizations from these serious diseases.

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Community Focused Strategies to Improve Health in West Baltimore

For far too long, residents of west Baltimore have faced continuous uphill battles to access basic amenities, services, jobs, and quality of life. Racism, redlining, eminent domain, disinvestment, school closures, poverty, violent crime, chronic health conditions, failed affordable housing, and the outmigration of businesses and residents have left behind vacant housing and dilapidated commercial corridors. These challenges result in a 17-year difference in life expectancy between residents of west Baltimore neighborhoods compared to other parts of the city.

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Requests for Proposals

The New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation: September 2026

The New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation is continuing its 2026 Emergent Need Fund to help nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire respond to emergent needs caused by unforeseen events. These funds are designed to provide rapid support when unexpected circumstances threaten the ability to deliver essential services to children and families.

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Requests for Proposals

The Merck Foundation: August 2026

The Call for Proposals is now open! The Merck Foundation has launched a United States initiative called the Community Collaborative for Reimagining HIV Care. Through the Collaborative, the foundation will provide grants to support the development and implementation of innovative, community-centered models of comprehensive care to meet the evolving needs of people living with HIV.

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Elevating Community Priorities to Shape Georgia’s Health Policy Agenda

Georgia stands at a pivotal moment that will shape the direction of health policy in our state. With an open governor’s race in 2026, along with other open seats, we’re on the cusp of significant political transition. While new leadership introduces uncertainty, it also creates opportunity. This moment opens the door for nonpartisan, nonprofit, private foundations like our team at Georgia Health Initiative to play a constructive role in elevating community priorities to shape a health policy agenda designed to work for all Georgians.

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Strengthening Health Care Access for People with Disabilities: Lessons for Philanthropy

In July, we recognize Disability Pride Month, marking the anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and celebrating the contributions and diverse identities of people with disabilities. While the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and establishes protections and requirements for employers, state, and local governments, and other areas of public life, many people with disabilities still face barriers.

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Reports and Publications

Back to the Beginning: Obesity Prevention in Early Childhood

Recent efforts in the field of child obesity prevention have placed emphasis on the school-age population, and with good reason. Schools present a unique opportunity to reach large groups of children on a regular basis with healthy foods and physical activity. However, about 10 percent of children come to kindergarten already obese, indicating that more attention needs to focus on the period of life before school.

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Racism: Combating the Root Causes of Health Disparities

Reducing health disparities in communities of color has been a public health priority in the United States for the past decade. To date, however, substantial improvements have not been achieved. Even more troubling is the evidence that disparities persist even when overall health trends improve.

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Intervening Early to Address Children’s Health Disparities

In the United States, children of color and those in low-income families continue to lag behind white and affluent children on nearly every health indicator. In addition, many of these indicators and conditions, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and asthma, can have long-term influences on children’s healthy development and functioning.

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