Rural Health
Understanding our rural communities’ strengths, challenges, and opportunities for achieving health and wellbeing for all.
Across America, many rural and Indigenous communities are finding inspiring solutions to improve health, equity, and wellbeing for all.
Everyone should have a fair chance to build a good life, no matter where they live. But many rural and Native communities don’t have the same opportunities and resources—like good-paying jobs and access to safe, affordable housing—leaving some with poorer health. When everyone has the chance to be as healthy as possible, our communities and our country become stronger.
When rural and Native communities thrive, our country thrives: our economy is more successful, our culture more vibrant, and our future brighter. Working families, small businesses, and family farmers in these areas help drive America’s economy, providing food, water, energy, products, and services that contribute to quality of life across the country.
We use grants and impact investments to support the efforts of rural and Native communities to develop local and regional solutions that reduce inequities and help residents thrive.
Browse resources, research, and emerging insights into the many factors that shape rural opportunity, health, and equity in America.
Featured Initiatives and Research
Impact Investments for Rural Health
Supporting the Indigenous Finance System on the Mountain Plains
RWJF made a $5 million loan to Four Bands Community Fund to expand their lending program and support the Mountain Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition.
Lending to Indigenous Businesses & Building Capacity and Power in Native Communities
A $5 million loan from RWJF to the NDN Fund will help expand lending programs to Indigenous businesses and communities to reach a national scale.
Advancing Homeownership in Rural Appalachia
A $4 million loan from RWJF to the Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises will help expand homeownership across Appalachia.
Creating Economic Opportunity in Central Appalachia
RWJF has made a $5 million investment in the Invest Appalachia Fund (IA Fund) to spur inclusive economic growth and health equity in Central Appalachia.
Resources From Grantees
The Congressional District Health Dashboard
CDHD provides a way for policymakers and advocates to identify opportunities and challenges affecting the health and wellbeing of all people across congressional districts.
Related Content
The Injustice of Place: Uncovering the Legacy of Poverty in America
Marketplace Pulse: Health Insurance Coverage in Farm Country
6-min read
Advancing Homeownership in Rural Appalachia
3-min read
Creating Economic Opportunity in Central Appalachia
2-min read