Following up on progress made since its initial recommendations were released in 2009, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Commission to Build a Healthier America released its 2014 recommendations today in an online event broadcast from Washington, DC. The Commission’s 2009 recommendations called for breaking down conventional policy-making silos; arguing that health is shaped greatly by where we live, learn, work, and play – not just by health care or lifestyle choices. The follow-up recommendations identify actions that should be taken now, based on progress made since 2009, to support health in communities.
The Commission’s new recommendations focus on four key areas:
Investments in early childhood programs: Early childhood programming and family supports are critical to putting children on a path to good health.
Integrating health into community development: We need to consider health when developing the buildings we live in, the places we shop, how we get to work, and where we play and exercise. Our health and the health of the communities in which we live are inextricably linked.
A more holistic approach to health care financing and delivery: Health professionals must recognize what makes sense for overall health, connecting patients to community supports and resources.
Building a culture of health: We must invest in early childhood development, revitalizing communities, and build a bridge between health and health care to ensure that all have the opportunity to pursue good health.
At the Center on Society and Health, we study and aim to raise awareness about the health implications of social factors, such as education, income, neighborhood and community environmental conditions, and public policy. Our mission aligns closely with that of the RWJF Commission, and we are pleased to see such a comprehensive approach taken to understand the critical factors shaping health in America.
Read more about the Commission and the newly released recommendations here: http://www.rwjf.org/en/about-rwjf/newsroom/features-and-articles/Commission.html