Investing in integrated health-wealth strategies that benefit families and children provide the greatest opportunity to set the conditions for children, regardless of race, gender, and zip code, to thrive now and as future adults.

Today, as we navigate the pandemic, deep racial and economic inequities in health and wealth outcomes have been revealed and amplified for children—especially children of color. Health and wealth are inextricably linked. The conditions in which people are born, grow, work, and age determine their health, and the conditions across communities for income stability and generational wealth transfer are not equitable. Investments to improve health outcomes using the social determinants of health and to promote financial well-being across families are mutually supportive. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all children are healthy, financially secure, and live in families without daily financial stressors because of assets and wealth.

Children are our future decisionmakers, drivers of our economy, and parents of generations to follow.  Their financial, physical, and mental health, in turn, will directly affect the health-wealth outcomes of their children.

Funders are positioned to play a pivotal role in integrated health-wealth strategies that advance equity by using their investments, voices, and influence. A selection of interconnected recommendations to promote equitable strategies across the child life-course include:

  • Invest intentionally in integrated strategies for children and their families, especially those aimed at children and families of color.
  • Increase community will by building awareness and connections to improve both health and wealth outcomes for children.
  • Innovate and expand on promising practices. Funders can fund pilot initiatives to explore what is possible, identify the gaps in their community, and then take successful initiatives to scale.

Read the full article about funding health-wealth solutions at Grantmakers In Health.