Health Equity starts
close
to home.

Across the nation, neighbors have always looked out for one another. But too many hardworking people—pursuing their dreams, raising families, serving their communities—are being left behind when it comes to health. Health equity means every American has a fair chance at good health, no matter their background or zipcode.

“Close to Home” is a place to understand these connections and build community, so good health is within reach for all.

Our health is shaped by many factors—the places we call home, the work we do, the pressures we face, the food on our tables, and the support of our communities.

This diversity of lived experience should strengthen us, not limit our ability to lead healthy lives.

Person and child riding bicycles on a paved path through a dense forest.

Parked vehicles alongside a rural road next to a rusted grain silo and wooden building with forested hills in the background.

Wooden rocking chair on a porch overlooking a green lawn and trees.

Side view of adjacent buildings with white siding and dark shutters next to a red brick building featuring black metal fire escapes.

Medical professional in green scrubs and patterned cap adjusting face mask while talking to two people.

Person wearing a hoodie carrying a box labeled Supreme Berries on their shoulder, walking through a foggy field.

Person wearing a cap and blue shirt standing behind a counter at a food pickup window with a 'PICK UP HERE' sign.

Bus driver seated at the wheel inside a bus cabin, visible through the glass window.

Person holding and reading a folded leaflet or brochure near a window with a smartphone on the table.

Woman with long braided hair carrying a toddler while walking outdoors among a group of people.

Two elderly women sitting closely, one wearing a blue face mask under her chin and the other with white hair held back by a black headband.

Blurred person with a cigarette inside a bus looking out the open door at a man sitting outside on a bench.

Elderly person with gray hair covering their face with a wrinkled hand, wearing a patterned jacket.

Father feeding a baby seated in a high chair by a window.

Woman examining a jar of preserved food in a grocery store aisle with various fruits and vegetables on shelves.

An elderly woman preparing food in a kitchen, placing greens into a plastic bag on the counter.

Person peeling an orange next to a bowl of salad, avocado, almonds, and a white mug on a kitchen counter.

Two women preparing food together in a kitchen with pots and a cooked turkey on the counter.

Two young people sitting close together by a window, one with an arm around the other, sharing a warm, affectionate gaze.

An elderly man takes a photo of two children blowing soap bubbles outside near a red house.

Elderly man wearing glasses affectionately holding and smiling at an elderly woman who is laughing.

A man in a black graduation gown smiling and speaking to three other people in a wooden-paneled room.

Man performing a Hindu prayer ritual with incense and offerings while two women participate nearby.

Everyone's health story is different.

Portrait of an older man wearing a light gray cap and a striped polo shirt framed in a wooden picture frame.

Fred

65 yRS

Smiling woman with curly hair hugging two young girls outdoors, all framed in an oval wooden frame.

Angela

38 yRS

Smiling man with two young girls in front of greenery, framed in a brown wooden photo frame.

Marcus

47 yRS

Click on a neighbor to read their story

or scroll to start

Fred

65 YRS

Small mid-west town

Retired factory worker, now part-time at community center

Meet
Fred
,
an Aging Neighbor

Fred is 65 and lives in a small rural town. He spent decades in physically demanding manufacturing jobs and now works part-time at his local community center to stay active and supplement his income.
‍
He enjoys helping others, but health challenges make it harder to keep up. Fred has rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes joint pain and inflammation. Managing it requires regular visits to a specialist, but long distances, limited providers, and tight finances make care difficult to access.

Fred’s story is fictional, based on real-life challenges.

There are many factors shaping
Fred
's
health

Factors we have influence over

Factors we don't have influence over

Click folders to view factors

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Communities, daily conditions, and social factors often have the biggest influence on our health behaviors and long-term wellbeing.

Physical & social environment factors

Communities, daily conditions, and social factors often have the biggest influence on our health behaviors and long-term wellbeing

Work’s lasting impact

Years of physical labor led to chronic back pain

Food access

Healthy, affordable options are hard to find in his rural area

Getting around

Limited public transit makes mobility a challenge without a car

Isolation

Living alone since his spouse’s passing can feel isolating

Social connection

Neighbors and church friends help reduce loneliness and stress

Purpose and routine

Part-time work at the community center offers income and connection

Healthcare factors

Medical care plays an important role, but the majority of health outcomes are shaped beyond the doctor’s office

Limited services

The nearest hospital is 45 minutes away, and local clinics lack specialists

Cost of care

Medication expenses sometimes stretch his budget

Getting to care

Transportation barriers make it hard to reach appointments or the pharmacy

Connectivity challenges

Virtual visits help, but slow and inconsistent broadband limits access

Biological factors

Biology influences our health through genetics and aging, factors largely beyond our control

Family health history

Autoimmune diseases and arthritis run in his family, increasing his risk

Aging

Natural changes affect Fred’s energy, mobility, and recovery

Fred
's
health has been improving because of

Environment

Woman wearing a white hoodie and mint green pants standing at a gray house door, knocking.

People that help

Faith community
Church friends check in and share healthy meals

Workplace support
Coworkers at the community center encourage him to stay active

Peer connection
Walking buddies help him stay mobile and reduce isolation

Systems that support

Local wellness programs
The community center offers exercise and pain management classes

Food assistance
A local food box program provides affordable, healthy groceries

Senior services
Town programs connect older adults to volunteer support and social activities

At-risk funding
‍These local resources face uncertainty due to federal reductions in rural and senior health programs

Healthcare

Person recording data on paper with a pen next to a digital blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, and thermometer on a table.

People that help

Workplace flexibility
His employer offers flexible hours so he can rest or make appointments

Community support
Family calls and visits help with medication reminders and motivation

Neighbor support
Friends pick up groceries and prescriptions when pain flares

Systems that support

Accessible care
The clinic provides telehealth visits, reducing long travel times

Insurance coverage
Insurance covers most of his medications and chronic care

Proactive follow-up
A nurse from his primary care provider checks in about his blood pressure and diabetes

Angela

38 YRS

Working-class neighborhood in the city

Home health aide and single mom of two young children

Meet
Angela
,
a Mom & Caregiver

Angela’s day starts before sunrise. She gets her children ready for school, checks on her aging parents, and travels across the city for her home-care shifts. Her parents depend on her to navigate the healthcare system because they speak limited English and struggle with appointments on their own.

Her youngest has asthma worsened by poor housing conditions, and long wait times at the clinic make timely care difficult. Angela has limited employer benefits, and comprehensive insurance is out of reach. She works hard to keep everyone healthy while juggling caregiving and an unpredictable schedule.

Angela’s story is fictional, based on real-life challenges.