A young girl in playing in a tunnel at the playground.
A young girl in playing in a tunnel at the playground.

Looking outside the healthcare system for ways to improve health for all.

Legacy Program

An independent, non-partisan group of leaders established to examine the many factors outside of medical care that influence health.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) formed the Commission to Build a Healthier America to investigate why people aren't as healthy as they could be.

The Commission studied prevention, wellness and the broader factors that influence good health and issued 10 recommendations to dramatically improve health for everyone in America. 

Although the official work of the program has came to a close, RWJF is committed to carrying on the legacy of the Commission and its recommendations by integrating the program's work and findings into Foundation programming addressing the social determinants of health.

Commission to Build a Healthier America

commissiononhealth.org
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A Messaging Guide

This tool provides guidance on how to message the social determinants of health including best practices in language and choosing words; using data to support, not make, your case; and using pictures to tell your stories.

Learn more

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Social Determinants of Health

The foundation for our health begins in our homes, schools, jobs, and neighborhoods. We work to address the social and economic factors that affect our health.

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Social Determinants of Health
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Beyond Healthcare

There is more to health than healthcare—where we live, work, learn, and play can have more to do with how healthy we are than the healthcare we get.

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Recommendations from the Commission to Build a Healthier America

Learn about the three major strategies to improve America’s health that extend beyond medical care.