Building the Healthy America Ecosystem

From the authors:

Legacies of Our Past: Why America Is Where It Is — And How Building the Healthy America Ecosystem Should Be the Answer 

America didn’t get here overnight. The fractured systems we see today — from skyrocketing healthcare costs to polluted environments, inadequate housing, and economic inequality — are the results of choices made long ago. Choices that prioritized short-term gains over long-term well-being. Choices that valued profit over people. Choices that allowed systemic inequities to deepen, disproportionately harming communities of color, low-income families, and rural populations. 

These are the legacies of our past and they still shape our lives today. But here’s some good news: Our future is not set in stone. We have the power to choose a different path. And that path begins with building the Healthy America Ecosystem.

How Did We Get Here? Health(care) as a Commodity

For decades, healthcare has been treated as a business rather than a public good. Preventive care and public health are underfunded while emergency care is prioritized, driving up costs and leaving millions without proper access. 

Underinvestment in Communities: Affordable housing, quality education, clean transportation, and sustainable infrastructure have often been treated as afterthoughts. This neglect creates cycles of poverty and poor health. 

Environmental Exploitation: Industries have polluted our air, water, and land, causing long-term health damage. Low-income and marginalized communities are often left to bear the brunt of this harm. 

Economic Inequality: Wealth has accumulated at the top, while working families face stagnant wages, limited healthcare access, and unaffordable housing. Health outcomes are deeply tied to income — and the gap keeps widening. 

Siloed Systems: Our sectors — health{care}, education, housing, technology, economy, environment, transportation, and energy — currently operate in isolation. Decisions are made without considering the ripple effects on people’s well-being.

Why Building the Healthy America Ecosystem Movement Is a Vital Part of the Answer

The Healthy America Ecosystem movement is not a single program or policy. It’s a movement to rebuild our systems in a way that recognizes their interconnectedness. It’s about making intentional choices that prioritize health, equity, and sustainability across every sector. 

Here’s how it can make a difference: Healthcare That Prevents, Not Just Treats

Investing in preventive care and public health and community health initiatives reduces long-term costs and improves quality of life. 

Education That Fosters Well-being: Schools can be places where children not only learn but also access nutritious food, mental health support, and wellness resources. 

Housing as a Foundation for Health: Safe, stable housing leads to better health outcomes, reduces healthcare costs, and supports stronger communities. 

Clean Energy and Transportation: Sustainable energy and accessible public transit reduce pollution, promote active lifestyles, and connect people to opportunities. 

An Economy That Works for Everyone: Prioritizing fair wages, equitable healthcare access, and affordable housing strengthens the workforce and the broader economy. 

It’s a Big Lift — But It’s Possible 

Undoing the damage of the past won’t be easy. It will require collaboration, courage, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. But we believe it can be done.  It will offer a vision for how we can work across sectors to create a future where health is a shared priority — not just for some, but for all. We can’t erase the past. But we can build a future that refuses to repeat it. 

Phillip Polakoff, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, A Healthier WE
June Sargent, Chief Impact Officer, A Healthier WE
David Angelson, Director of Research, A Healthier WE