The conditions in which people live, work, and age shape their chances for long and healthy lives. Communities across the United States experience vastly different social and environmental conditions, with important consequences for health. The Health Equity pillar, led by Professor Hedy Lee, examines why some populations consistently experience poorer health outcomes and how these patterns emerge and persist over time.
Research in this area investigates a broad set of influences on health, including socioeconomic conditions, chronic stress, discrimination, environmental exposures, and experiences with the criminal legal system, among others. The work focuses on how these factors interact at individual, community, and societal levels to generate unequal risks and resources. By producing high-quality research and engaging students and scholars across disciplines, the pillar deepens understanding of the social forces that shape health disparities and contributes to broader efforts to achieve health equity and improve population health.