The plan sets the stage for structural changes – from the federal to state and community levels, both inside and outside of government – that are meant to address the social needs affecting health outcomes and hindering health equity. Three pillars would form the initial scaffolding for a nationwide effort: 1) data gathering and sharing; 2) flexible funding for social needs; and 3) support for community-based organizations. Among the federal-level contributions is a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that began in 2015. PLACES – Population-level Analysis and Community Estimates of Health – is the first initiative to connect county, place, and Census tract data with the CDC’s surveillance data to develop and implement targeted preventions.
