Health Science Knowledge System
Research and knowledge—when guided by equity—have the power to create better health for all.
Together, we can create a future where health is for everyone. But we know that the barriers to good health and wellbeing are wide ranging, and include social, economic, and environmental factors. Medical research alone can’t address the causes of health inequities. We need better science. We need research and evidence driven by people with varied experiences, perspectives, and ideas. We value scientific methods and we value local wisdom, innovative approaches, and new ways of working that will advance society in profound ways.
We need a health research system that better addresses the complexities of health and wellbeing in communities while building trust with the people it serves. This improved system must be inclusive and rooted in equity at every stage—from how data are collected and measured to how they are shared and used to make decisions. The health research system is made up of people, which means that people can come together to change it.
Exploring Equitable Futures
We seek to provide grants to visionary thinkers—scientists, anthropologists, engineers, technologists, creatives, and others—to uncover new and unconventional ideas that will contribute to our collective efforts to dismantle structural racism and transform health in our lifetime.
Ways of Knowing
We are working toward a health science knowledge system that values more ways of knowing—including experiential, cultural, and community knowledge—while also working to increase trust in academic science.
The Ways of Knowing Symposia
This 5-part convening explored how different forms of knowledge shape our understanding of health and paths to increase inclusivity and equity in science.
Salzburg Global Seminar: Equity in Action: Transforming Health Science Knowledge Systems
In October 2024, 50+ leaders from around the world gathered to envision a new trajectory for health knowledge systems: one that prioritizes equity, inclusivity, and diverse ways of knowing.
Learn Beyond Our Borders
Changemakers from around the world share unique perspectives and examples of innovative solutions to health equity challenges in a 12-part series from the Stanford Social Innovation Review.
Research Justice
At PopTech 2024, RWJF’s Lori Melichar and grantees make a case for reorienting health research to dismantle structural racism, center community knowledge, and honor all ways of knowing.
Data Systems
We are working toward a health science knowledge system that incorporates new data sources and measures that better illuminate the ways in which structural racism and other forms of discrimination drive health inequities.
Transforming Public Health Data Systems
RWJF supports a range of projects aimed at modernizing and creating a more equity-centered public health data infrastructure, informed by recommendations from the National Commission to Transform Public Health Data Systems.
Every Community Is Worth Collecting Data On
Tina Kauh, RWJF senior program officer, explains why and how the research field and philanthropy must address the racist principles that guide which data we collect, analyze, and report.
What is the Relationship between Race, Racism, and Public Health?
Gail Christopher, director of RWJF’s Commission to Transform Public Health Data Systems, and Alonzo Plough, RWJF’s chief science officer and vice president of Research-Evaluation-Learning, engaged in a conversation about the critical role of public health data in understanding and confronting racism.
Community Voices
We are working toward a health science knowledge system that is guided by community needs and voices, and where research is led and used by people who are part of the community.
Candid Conversations About the Future of Research
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5 Questions For...
We asked our Ideas for an Equitable Future grantees five questions about their cutting-edge work to shape the health science knowledge system of the future.
Why Community Input Must Inform Grantmaking
Through inclusive partnerships and tools like the Equitable Evaluation Framework, an evaluator and her team create space for honest, community-centered dialogues that drive meaningful change.
Leadership
We are working toward a health science knowledge system that is guided by future generations of diverse, equity-focused leaders.
Why Supporting Future Scholars from Diverse Backgrounds Matters for Health Equity
Sheldon Oliver Watts, RWJF program officer, explains how research is stronger, more accurate, actionable, and equitable when people with varied perspectives and lived experiences design and conduct it.
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Health Equity Scholars for Action
Health Equity Scholars for Action is committed to creating a more equitable, inclusive health science knowledge system by supporting early-career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds.
Transforming Academia for Equity
In this episode of In the Margins, RWJF’s chief science officer and vice president of Research-Evaluation-Learning discusses the importance of diverse, equity-focused leadership in academia.
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Learning Across Global Borders
Knowing that good ideas have no borders, we explore promising solutions from around the world—programs, policies, and practices—that might work in the United States to advance health equity.
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