![(From left) Ali Abdullahi, Kaftun Ahmed, Franka Miletic, and Anjana Chakkour, members of the team of Community Health Workers at Massachusetts General Hospital's Chelsea Healthcare Center stand in front of the center. The workers seek to reduce healthcare barriers which are posed for patients by language and cultural differences. (AEM Chelsea MA story image) (From left) Ali Abdullahi, Kaftun Ahmed, Franka Miletic, and Anjana Chakkour, members of the team of Community Health Workers at Massachusetts General Hospital's Chelsea Healthcare Center stand in front of the center. The workers seek to reduce healthcare barriers which are posed for patients by language and cultural differences. (AEM Chelsea MA story image)](/en/our-vision/focus-areas/health-systems-public-and-community-health/_jcr_content/root/container/copy_of_hero_5381126/inserted-image-mobile.coreimg.jpeg/1689018373811/vanauken-chelsea-tva7540.jpeg)
![Three people of diverse ethnic backgrounds stand together. Three people of diverse ethnic backgrounds stand together.](/en/our-vision/focus-areas/health-systems-public-and-community-health/_jcr_content/root/container/copy_of_hero_5381126/inserted-image-desktop.coreimg.png/1689018454716/69006-edit-public-community-health-topic.png)
Strengthening Our Public and Community Health
HEALTH SYSTEMS
RWJF supports programs that are helping to expand our thinking about community partnerships that work together to pursue public and community health.
We believe improving public and community health requires linking systems like hospitals, schools and health departments with community organizations, urban planners and developers, and business. Improving public and community health requires a commitment to health equity to ensure everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
![Construction staff and community officials discuss plans for a new grocery store. Construction staff and community officials discuss plans for a new grocery store.](/en/our-vision/focus-areas/health-systems-public-and-community-health/_jcr_content/root/container/column_control_1379633190/col-6-6-1/news_floating_cta_co.coreimg.jpeg/1683552923557/will20widmer-allen20county-iola-ks-20170801-153-cropped.jpeg)
Working with Community Partners to Advance Equity in Public Health
Related News and Insights
Read expert perspectives and the latest research from RWJF to explore the opportunities and complexities of this topic.
![A man and young boy stand together outside smiling. A man and young boy stand together outside smiling.](/en/our-vision/focus-areas/health-systems-public-and-community-health/_jcr_content/root/container/card_column_control/col-6-6-1/cardcontainer/res_0.coreimg.png/1714669568954/greenprint-case-study-photo.png)
Increasing Community Resilience for Climate-Related Events Through Green Infrastructure
2-min read
![Climate change illustration. Climate change illustration.](/en/our-vision/focus-areas/health-systems-public-and-community-health/_jcr_content/root/container/card_column_control/col-6-6-1/cardcontainer/res_1.coreimg.jpeg/1705586574279/climate-illustration.jpeg)
Five Lessons on Community-Driven Climate Action
5-min read
![Disability illustration. Disability illustration.](/en/our-vision/focus-areas/health-systems-public-and-community-health/_jcr_content/root/container/card_column_control/col-6-6-1/cardcontainer/res_2.coreimg.jpeg/1701287711122/disability-illustration.jpeg)
Every Community Is Worth Collecting Data On
6-min read
Featured Initiatives
RWJF funds many initiatives in support of our vision for a Culture of Health. For this area of focus, these initiatives were selected to demonstrate grantmaking that is helping us achieve the greatest impact.
![A woman working in a food pantry. A woman working in a food pantry.](/en/our-vision/focus-areas/health-systems-public-and-community-health/_jcr_content/root/container/card_column_control_1915421640/col-6-6-1/card.coreimg.jpeg/1689273780962/woman-working-in-food-pantry-.jpeg)
Aligning Systems for Health
Focusing on identifying, testing, and sharing what works to align healthcare, public health, and social services to better address the needs of the people and communities they serve.
![Three friendly patients leaving a clinic. Three friendly patients leaving a clinic.](/en/our-vision/focus-areas/health-systems-public-and-community-health/_jcr_content/root/container/card_column_control_1915421640/col-6-6-2/card.coreimg.jpeg/1689272219971/060919-tully-rwjf-icic-165-hires.jpeg)
Public Health Forward
Improve the health of communities by strengthening and advocating for local health departments.
![Group of multi-ethnic women walking down the stairs of gym. Group of multi-ethnic women walking down the stairs of gym.](/en/our-vision/focus-areas/health-systems-public-and-community-health/_jcr_content/root/container/card_column_control_1915421640/col-6-6-3/card.coreimg.jpeg/1689017863365/gettyimages-1194087250-flipped.jpeg)
Culture of Health Prize
9-min read