Dear friends,

As we face the uncertainties of a new administration, our work to advance health equity becomes more important than ever. We are all in this together, whatever shape ‘this’ may take, so let’s recommit to building on one another’s work to strengthen our collective impact.

Under President Biden, we have enjoyed the tailwinds of a renewed national focus on ending hunger and improving health and well-being by 2030. A parallel United Nations strategy to address hunger and much more through its 17 Sustainable Development Goals is also geared toward a target of 2030. As new U.S. leadership looks poised to make changes to our international and domestic partnerships, policies, and responsibilities, we all have an important role to play in stewarding and strengthening this important national and international momentum. As Vice President Harris recently reminded us, “This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is the time to roll up our sleeves.”

We also face sharply escalating social and economic costs related to health inequities; a recent report by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions estimated the cost of health inequities in the U.S. at almost $320 billion a year. The additional systemic challenges of persistent poverty and unprecedented levels of wealth inequality also endanger both our society and our democracy, and our collective work to make our country better for everyone must address all of the social and structural drivers of health (SSDoH).

At our recent Fall Summit, Accelerating Solutions, we talked about these issues and more in an inspiring day of new connections and compelling discussions. The energy of the speakers and participants, along with exciting examples of creative solution seeking from around the country, left us with a renewed sense of our collective agency and shared purpose.

I look forward to collaborating with you in 2025.

With warm wishes for very happy holidays,

Nicolene Hengen

Executive Director

On November 21, 90 public and private sector changemakers and innovators stakeholders from 14 states gathered at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to focus on cross-sector approaches to systemic food, nutrition, and health challenges.

• Stephen Ritz, Green Bronx Machine, focused on growing food in New York City public schools and marginalized communities.
• Leaders from Chobani, Newman's Own Foundation, Stop & Shop, and Quest Diagnostics shared how their organizations are thinking about and addressing health equity.
• Leaders from three Massachusetts Community Action Agencies (CAAs) focused on how CAAs nationwide have been fighting poverty across the U.S. for 60 years.
• 2024 H2HC Prizes for Innovation winners StreetCred at Boston Medical Center and The Giving Grove, along with 2023 Prize winners Alameda County Recipe4Health and DC Central Kitchen, described their work to address the root causes of food, nutrition, health inequities in their respective communities.
• Corby Kummer, Food & Society at the Aspen Institute, shared highlights of the Institute's work on nutrition research.
• Natalia Guevara, OASH/HHS, discussed the new federal Food Is Medicine Virtual Toolkit.

Stephen Ritz, Green Bronx Machine

(L-R) Corby Kummer, Food & Society at The Aspen Institute; and Shannon Huneke, Accenture

(L-R) Gordon Reid, Stop & Shop; Cecelia McKenney, Quest Diagnostics; Emily Yu, Newman's Own Foundation; and Nishant Roy, Chobani

(L-R) Clare Higgins, Community Action Pioner Valley; Sharon Scott-Chandler, Action for Boston Community Development; and Marybeth Campbell, Worcester Community Action Counil

H2HC 2024 winners StreetCred at Boston Medical Center and The Giving Grove:

(L-R) Erica Kratofil and Ashley Williamson, Co-Executive Directors of The Giving Grove, and Dr. Rachel Sagor, Acting Director of StreetCred

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA Foundation:

Massachusetts Health Equity Initiative Inventory (Dec. 2024)

The Foundation launched the MA Health Equity Initiative Inventory to advance the its 2023 Health Equity Action Plan and coordinate cross-system learning. The Inventory is an interactive resource that includes more than 140 interventions and programs that address racial, ethnic, and linguistic inequities in Massachusetts’ health care delivery system. To submit a health equity initiative, please complete this form.

HHS: NEW Federal Food Is Medicine Toolkit (Sep. 2024)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its Food Is Medicine Virtual Toolkit to help communities design and implement effective FIM interventions. The tool is the result of a collaborative effort across multiple federal agencies and private sector partners, researchers, and community-based organizations. To provide feedback or submit an initiative, please complete this contact form.

Aspen Institute, Food & Society:

Food is Medicine Research Action Plan (April 2024)

Thee Aspen Institute's Food is Medicine (FIM) Research Action Plan outlines a roadmap for equity-centered research on the prevention, treatment, and management of diet-related conditions in the U.S. The report pulls the latest peer-reviewed FIM research together into an action-oriented format.

Healthy People 2030 Webinar: Breaking Down Barriers to Health Care by Addressing Social Determinants of Health

Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 1:00-2:00 PM EST, Virtual (Zoom)

Hosted by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), this webinar will highlight three Healthy People 20230 objectives related to health care access and addressing SDOH. Register here.

American Hospital Assocation: Accelerating Health Equity Conference

May 19-22, 2025, Atlanta, GA

The Accelerating Health Equity Conference brings together community health, population health, and health equity leaders for inspiring conversations about combatting health inequities, strategizing about best practices, and spotlighting the work of hospitals, health systems, and community organizations throughout the country. Register here.

Business Insider: What an extra $500 to $1,000 a month did for 8 families

PBS: What to know about the House bill that could punish nonprofits over alleged ‘terrorist’ ties

Deloitte: The US$2.8 trillion opportunity: How better health for all can drive US economic growth

USDA: 2023 Household Food Insecurity Report

About H2HC

The Hunger to Health Collaboratory (H2HC) catalyzes integrated solutions to food, nutrition, and health inequities by engaging cross-sector leaders, uplifting innovative models, and educating stakeholders, all through a focus on the social drivers of health.

H2HC Leadership Council

Contact us at info@h2hcollaboratory.org.

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