Explore Health Equity and Social Justice Topics

Latest Resources

The Role of Health Philanthropy in Improving Maternal Health for Underserved Populations

Although the United States is a high-income nation, it experiences a significant burden of maternal mortality incidence relative to other countries. In 2023, non-expansion Medicaid states had 27.7 percent higher pregnancy-related deaths than expansion states. The COVID-19 pandemic also exacerbated racial disparities in pregnancy-related deaths. Historically, marginalized populations, including low-income populations and Black and Indigenous communities are more vulnerable to preventable pregnancy-related deaths.

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Designing Inclusive and Equity-Centered Health System Improvement Projects—Lessons from Three Initiatives

Disparities in access to health care persist for individuals with low incomes and Black, Hispanic/Latinx and Native American/Native Alaskan individuals and are particularly acute in behavioral health. Behavioral health care utilization rates among Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults are less than half those of White adults. These disparities exist because of barriers in access such as limited provider networks, poor language access, a lack of culturally-aligned services, and technological barriers to telehealth. Working with health providers to create inclusive and accessible services is essential to building more equitable access to behavioral health care, and to healthier and happier families and communities.

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Requests for Proposals

Pottstown Regional Community Foundation: August 2025

The Pottstown Regional Community Foundation (PRCF) will launch its 2025 Fall Grant Round. For this final grant round of the calendar year, the foundation prioritizes organizations that demonstrate clear alignment with PRCF’s Results Framework and have not yet received an award this calendar year. Competitive requests will be supported by goals stated in community and regional plans and address needs communicated in foundation or other research studies.

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U.S. Attorney General Issues New Guidance on DEI Programs and Policies

This resource provides an overview of a Department of Justice memorandum from the Attorney General on the application of federal antidiscrimination laws to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs the administration alleges involve “discriminatory practices.”

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Reports and Publications

Supporting Children, Youth, and Families Affected by “Zero Tolerance” Immigration Policies

Recent efforts to introduce new federal and state immigration legislation and to modify existing guidelines have resulted in an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear for many in immigrant, migrant, and refugee communities. This atmosphere was recently compounded by a directive to separate migrant children and parents detained after crossing the United States-Mexico border, including those seeking asylum.

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Investing in Latino Leadership for Health Equity and Justice

Rising inequality, shifting demographics, and current immigration policies have intensified efforts to promote health equity and social justice for Latinos. The second-fastest growing racial group in the United States, Latinos now make up 18 percent of the population (Flores 2017).

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Philanthropy’s Role in Addressing Neighborhood Conditions That Shape Health

Philanthropy’s Role in Addressing Neighborhood Conditions That Shape Health

From sidewalks to toxic stress, evidence shows where people live has a greater impact on health than medical care, behavior, or genetics. As funders move upstream, there is increased interest in supporting efforts to build healthy places. This scan of the field explores how grantmakers are addressing neighborhood factors that shape health such as housing, community development, the built environment, and transportation.

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