Why We Need to Build a Culture of Health in the United States

Abstract

The United States spends $2.7 trillion a year on health care, more than any other country by far, and yet the U.S. population is not healthy. In fact, the United States loses $227 billion in productivity each year because of poor health. This is not sustainable-and it is the reason behind the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Culture of Health initiative. Culture of Health means so much more than simply not being sick. It means embracing a definition of health as outlined by the World Health Organization-a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. And it means shifting the values-and the actions-in the United States so that health becomes a part of everything we do. Health is the bedrock of personal fulfillment. It is the backbone of prosperity and the key to creating a strong and competitive nation. With health, children can grow up making the most of life's opportunities. Businesses can rely on the vitality of workers to stay competitive, and the military can perform at its highest level. But there is no single way to cultivate health. This Commentary explores the principles behind the Culture of Health initiative and examines the role of academic medicine in achieving this vision. Different communities must come up with the approaches that serve them best. Only by working toward a common goal in unique ways will a true Culture of Health be attainable in the United States.

Lessons Learned From a Practice‐Based, Multisite Intervention Study With Nurse Participants

“…Emerging interest in promoting a culture of health has shifted the lens of health promotion and risk reduction research to population-level interventions embedded in workplaces (Lavizzo-Mourey, 2015). These converging interests pose challenges and opportunities for nursing scientists.…”

The Charter on Professionalism for Health Care Organizations

“…There is growing recognition that promoting the health of populations requires a systems approach to understanding and addressing the social and environmental factors that can protect or undermine health. 46 …”

Transforming Preprofessional Health Education Through Relationship-Centered Care and Narrative Medicine

“…Students need to know that community is where health and illness begin and that one's zip code might be more critical to one's health than the genetic code. 33 As Manchanda 34 eloquently put it, we must educate health care professionals who know to "look upstream" for the community sources of ill health rather than focus exclusively on symptomatic relief for individuals "down the river." They must understand that substandard housing and food insecurity are key sources of ill health and that effective care requires community change that reduces these risk factors.…”