Program Overview

The goal of this program is to reduce health disparities among children and adults living in the United States. We are addressing what we consider to be the inequitable and unjust conditions that lead to poor health outcomes. We have modified aspects of this program to better complement the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

We fund work under way at the local, state or national levels in the following focus areas:

Caring communities: Improving access, quality, equity

Caring communities is designed to increase the access, quality and equity of health care services for underserved populations, primarily by strengthening the primary care safety net.

Four initiatives are underway:

• Community health hub investment initiative
• Safety-net enhancement initiative
• Health clinic opportunity fund
• Safety-net facility improvement fund

Additionally, we are beginning to employ new funding methods, such as program-related investments, in support of community health centers.

Applications are by invitation only.

Healthy environments

Healthy environments seeks to advance environmental protection for those living in at-risk communities, especially those affected by pollution, chemical exposure and other toxic hazards. Through harm reduction and prevention efforts, we are improving the environmental quality and safety of the places children and their families live, learn, work and play.

Three initiatives are under way:

• Cleaner freight transport
• Environmental health and justice
• Advancing safe and healthy homes

We accept preliminary applications on an ongoing basis for Cleaner freight transport and Environmental health and justice.

Applications for Safe and healthy homes is by invitation only.

Emerging and promising practices in population health

Emerging and promising practices in population health works at the intersection of various sectors to support new methods for addressing the social and environmental factors negatively affecting poor and at-risk communities.

This focus area accepts preliminary applications on an ongoing basis, with particular emphasis on:

• Multisector strategies that address policy, environmental and programmatic change, with a special focus on food systems,
• Innovative integration of population health strategies into primary care.

Eligibility

For eligibility information, visit the focus area of interest linked above.

Application Process

Each focus area has its own application process. Visit the focus area of interest for more information.