Health Ecosystems

The conditions around us shape the health within us.
Two houses pictured side by side. The left house has nice paint and a new roof, and the right house has debris on the walls and a roof that is falling apart.

Health doesn’t begin in the doctor’s office—it starts in the places we live, learn, work, and age. These everyday drivers of health—our health ecosystems—play a powerful role in determining our well-being and longevity.

The American Heart Association works to understand and improve these conditions by advancing solutions that address the broader factors influencing health—such as access to education, safe housing, nutritious food, transportation, and economic opportunity. When we strengthen the ecosystems around health, we help everyone’s ability to live a longer healthier life.

A street with buildings and vehicle traffic

Infrastructure

An estimated 1 in 8 Americans do not have consistent access to healthy foods. That is 40 million Americans including more than 12 million children.

Housing stability, quality, safety, and affordability all affect health outcomes, as do physical and social characteristics of neighborhoods.

Low-income communities are bearing disproportionate burden from air pollution, and the air pollution related to vehicle traffic is a significant source of the problem.

Well-Being Works Better

The American Heart Association’s CEO Roundtable is working to eliminate workplace barriers that harm the health and well-being of employees, businesses and communities like the rising cost of health care benefits. The Roundtable’s new report, developed by business leaders and health experts, provides actionable strategies and principles employers can use to build towards optimal health for everyone, everywhere.
group of diverse people in a work environment posing for photo while smiling