On December 31, 2009, the work of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America came to a close. To stay up-to-date on the latest news and efforts related to health disparities and the social determinants of health, visit rwjf.org

Work

Work can influence health in many ways, including through links both with health care insurance and with physically hazardous exposures in the workplace. Accumulating evidence also reveals, however, that psychosocial characteristics of the work environment – such as the extent to which a worker has control over her or his work – appear to be very important as well.

Resources

  • Beyond Health Care: New Directions to a Healthier America

    This Commission report, Beyond Health Care: New Directions to a Healthier America, describes the Commission's work and provides recommendations for moving forward to ensure all Americans have an opportunity to lead healthier lives.

    See the Report

  • Denver: Where You Live Matters

    In the Denver metropolitan area, life expectancy can vary by more than five years depending on where you live. Promising workplace programs in Colorado—designed to protect and promote workers’ health—are striving to decrease these gaps and increase people’s chances of living healthier and longer lives.

  • Issue Brief: Work and Health

    Our work affects our health in many ways – and our health affects our work. This issue brief examines how work influences our health, not only by exposing us to physical conditions that have health effects, but also by providing a setting where healthy activities and behaviors can be promoted.

    PDF

  • Life Expectancy: Where You Live Matters

    In Wake County, home to the state capital of Raleigh, N.C., the average life expectancy is 78.1 years. In Robeson County--just three counties away--life expectancy is 6.6 years less. But early childhood development programs in North Carolina are increasing the chances of living longer and healthier lives.

More Resources

Perspectives

  • Stories

    April Manzanares

    When Wal-Mart rolled out its Personal Sustainability Project in 2006, it presented its employees with a challenge: What’s the one change you would make in your life to make the world a better place? April Manzanares, a Wal-Mart people manager in Broomfield, Colo., knew the answer right away. She wanted to be healthier. Meet April Manzanares

     

    Andrea Silva

    At Centura Health at Home in Denver, Andrea Silva resolved a struggle that many new mothers face – returning to work while continuing to provide nutritious breast milk for her baby. Meet Andrea Silva

     

    More Stories

  • Leadership Blog

    A Closing Word from Risa Lavizzo-Mourey on the Commission to Build a Healthier America

    by Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, President and CEO, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
    December 17, 2009

    After a year and a half, two major reports and national events, three regional field hearings, nine issue briefs, two chart books, and more than 50 meetings with leaders from government and the private sector, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America has come to a close. Read More

    Addressing Your Questions from the Healthy Communities Webinar

    by Staff, Commission to Build a Healthier America
    August 26, 2009

    As with the first webinar, the Commission's August 4 webinar, "Creating Healthy Communities," generated more questions from participants than we could answer during the Q&A. The questions are compiled and answered by Commission staff in the post below. Read More

    Guest Post: Using Health Impact Assessments to Transform Health in America

    by Robin Mockenhaupt, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
    July 21, 2009

    According to a commentary in the most recent JAMA, Health Impact Assessments can be used to examine the effects that a policy or program might have on the health of a population. Can they be used to help transform the health of America? Absolutely. Read More

    More Blogs

News and Events

  • Prevention Matters Podcast: David Williams Discusses How Commission Recommendations Can Improve America's Health

    August 03, 2009

    What makes Americans sick, and how can we keep them healthy? The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation established a panel of distinguished experts - the Commission to Build a Healthier America - to explore these fundamental but complex questions. Dr. David R. Williams, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, discusses the commission's findings and how they impact every segment of society. Read More

  • Idaho Education Association: Investing in Education Reaps Life-Long Benefits

    July 14, 2009

    American adults with the least education have the worst health, according to recent report released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America. Almost half of U.S. adults ages 25 to 74 reported being in less than very good health, and levels of health differ depending on levels of education. Read More

More News and Events