Developing New Systems of Data to Advance a Culture of Health

INTRODUCTION: The system dynamics that are driving changes in health and health care in the United States are not well captured by standard data-collection activities. We need data systems that can inform policy and program development and can reflect the increasing recognition that all aspects of people’s lives—their work, families, and communities and not just formal health and health care services—support active and healthy living. CULTURE OF HEALTH ACTION AREAS: Within the Culture of Health (COH) framework, four action areas are further upstream in the sequence of change and point to additional need for more nuanced approaches to data collection: building a shared value of health; fostering collaborations to improve well-being; creating health in more equitable community environments; and transforming health and health care systems. These action areas define the COH framework that we hope will spur research and strategies across sectors to improve health. CONCLUSION: The action framework for advancing a COH will guide the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) grant making and strategic collaborations. It is hoped that the framework will also catalyze changes in how researchers and organizations collect health-related data at all levels.