The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
A bipartisan group of state health policymakers from both the executive and legislative branches who are focused on improving population health.
Networks of state officials, advocates, and others aiming to invest in and transform primary care.
A program dedicated to advancing state-based efforts to make health care more affordable for residents, employers, and states.
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A leadership development program for early and mid-career state government officials who are committed to improving the health of all people in their communities.
A leadership program for senior state government officials who are committed to improving population health.
The Fund focuses on creating an affordable health care system built on strong primary care and partnerships that improve health outcomes for all.
Improving state leaders’ ability to enact and implement evidence-based health policies.
Advancing policies that create a more prevention- and primary care-oriented health system.
Improving population health through policies that contain health care cost growth.
Our state health policy resources offer relevant data analysis and best practices.
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The Milbank Memorial Fund is a private foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
The Future of Population Health (Volume 101)
Quarterly Article
Daniel Dawes
Juan Gonzalez
Sep 23, 2026
Sep 2, 2026
Aug 19, 2026
Back to The Milbank Quarterly
Policy Points:
Notwithstanding its status as a world leader in developing the latest health care advances as well as for spending on health care, the United States has continued to fall behind other developed countries in health rankings. Even though it spends more on health care than any other country and consumes more than half of the world’s health care resources, the United States has seen increasing mortality and falling life expectancy for people ages 25–64, who should be in the prime of their lives.1,2 When disaggregated by race, ethnicity, geography, and other demographic variables, the inequalities in health status and health care are quite striking.
It is now well understood and widely accepted that the social determinants of health affect all aspects of people’s daily lives. In fact, it is known that the social determinants of health directly affect and often even determine or drive populations’ health choices and access to adequate, affordable, and nutritious food options; safe housing, blue and green spaces; reliable and safe transportation; education and literacy; opportunities for economic stability; and sanitation, among other important factors. In addition to genetics, health care, and behavior, the direct significance of all the social determinants of health variables and their contribution to health, wellness, and life opportunities have come to light. The clear link between health risks and the conditions of the places where people live, learn, work, and play have now been illuminated.3