Social Policy Is Health Policy
Decades of research and practical experience in the United States and other countries have shown that a number of economic and social factors – education, income, occupation, wealth, housing, neighborhood environment, race and ethnicity – have a powerful influence on health. This link between social position and health status is predictable, persistent, problematic, and – we hope – preventable.
Cultivating Health Literacy at the State and National Levels
In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a landmark report on the state of health literacy in the United States. That report, Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion, pulled together a growing body of information indicating that health literacy deficits are both common – present in nearly half of the U.S. population – and damaging to individual health and well-being.
Creating Public Will to End Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Each year disparities in health status and health care take a toll on members of racial and ethnic minority groups that translates into preventable illness and death. If the United States eliminated the black-white mortality gap alone, it has been estimated that as many as 84,000 deaths could be prevented annually.
Improving the Health of Vulnerable Children with Medical-Legal Partnerships
ubstandard housing, polluted neighborhoods, and inadequate nutrition are just a few of the “nonmedical” problems that can compromise children’s health status and developmental trajectory. The most visible result of these threats can be a frustrating, expensive, and heartbreakingly preventable trip to the doctor’s office or local emergency room.
Climate Change Is a Health Problem
The debate is over; climate change is real. Further, the human health impacts of climate change are now being felt. The World Health Organization estimated that since 1990, climatic changes already have claimed at least 150,000 deaths and an additional 5.5 million years of life lost to premature death or lived with disabilities (2003).
Pathways Out of Poverty: Exploring New Directions for Health Funders
The links between poverty and poor health are undeniable, yet complex. While health funders recognize poverty as a root cause of poor health, some may be unsure about how to translate that knowledge into action.
Closing the Health Status Gap in the Nation’s Healthiest State: Paddling Upstream in the Land of 10,000 Lakes
Large numbers of Americans experience higher rates of illness and premature death for reasons that go beyond access to health care, lifestyle choices, and genetics. And yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. spends more than 90 percent of its health budget on downstream, individual medical care.
Confronting Chronic Homelessness: Health Funders Consider New Solutions
On any given day, at least 800,000 people are homeless in the United States, including about 200,000 homeless families. It is virtually impossible for most to find rental property within their means. Also, as many as 70 percent of homeless individuals struggle with serious health problems, mental and physical disabilities, or substance abuse problems.
Addressing Health Disparities by Engaging Institutions
Few issues cry out for remediation louder than the issue of racial and ethnic disparities in health. The magnitude of these disparities is so great that it has been called the “civil rights issue of the day” – an issue that public health has an obligation to address and remedy.
Erasing the Color Line: Philanthropy’s Role in Eliminating Health Disparities
This resource portfolio on racial and ethnic health disparities contains two-page articles on the following topics: poverty, racism, environmental health, access, healthy behaviors, mental health, workforce diversity, cultural competency, men, women, children, and aging populations. It also includes a resource list of organizations working on health disparities, key Web sites, and articles.
Newsletter Sign Up
Want to sign up for the GIH Bulletin? Click here to get on the list.
Contribute to the GIH Bulletin and Blog
If you are interested in contributing your story or expertise to the GIH community please review our Editorial Submission Guidelines.