Giving Compass' Take:

• The Aspen Global Innovators Group and the Aetna Foundation are launching a fellowship to empower local leaders to build healthy communities.

• How will this fellowship recognize local community leaders? What happens after the fellowship is over?

• Read about why involving the community in community health is important. 

The Aspen Global Innovators Group at the Aspen Institute and the Aetna Foundation have launched a new fellowship for community leaders addressing health inequities through the lens of the social determinants of health. Five fellows will be selected to participate in a curated, one-year program focused on public speaking, writing, and networking to develop their voices as experts in the field of the social determinants of health.

"Research shows that 60 percent of a person’s life expectancy is driven by factors outside of the doctor’s office, like access to clean water, physical activity, and healthy food,” said Dr. Garth Graham, President of the Aetna Foundation and Vice President of Community Health for Aetna, Inc.

“The fellowship program will support individuals that are already making a difference in their respective communities, helping them to do even more in their local areas and spreading the word on their positive work.”

Read the full article about healthy communities at The Aspen Institute