Published in the Journal of the American Planning Association,
researchers from the University of California, Davis, reveal how public reparations testimonies critically inform and transform urban planning strategies. The findings underscore how actively listening to community voices fosters deeper, more equitable community planning.
Our latest in the P4A series on maternal health equity in the United States highlights the experiences of American Indian and Alaska Native mothers and policy solutions to advance their maternal health outcomes. Research supports policy solutions that increase coverage, integrate cultural competency, honor sovereignty, and repair reproductive health injustices.
In a new working paper, researchers examine the impacts of guaranteed income on Black women’s health and well-being in Georgia. Findings reveal significant differences in stress levels and sleep quality between recipients and nonrecipients, highlighting the direct health benefits of lower financial strain.
Community corner
Join investigators from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF’s) “For Action” research programs as they break down hot topics, including health care, immigration, and Medicaid. This webinar will explore how researchers committed to health equity are navigating the new political landscape.
Register for “Equity in Action: Navigating New Landscapes in Health Equity Research” on August 27, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (PT) / noon (ET).
Data have the power to drive change—but only if people have access. Access to rich data is a cornerstone of producing timely, objective research. Yet, this access often comes with high costs, lengthy and complex approval processes, and data-use restrictions that can delay or impede research, especially for projects with limited funding. That’s why RWJF tapped AcademyHealth to manage Health Data for Action (HD4A). This program made access to large datasets available to researchers through competitive calls for proposals.
AcademyHealth launched a five-part interview series,
featuring RWJF and AcademyHealth staff, grantees, and data providers, to reflect on the journey to democratize data through HD4A and how the funded research generated actionable insights to create fairer, more effective health solutions that work for everyone. The first interview features Kathy Hempstead, senior policy officer at RWJF, and Megan Collado, senior director at AcademyHealth and HD4A program director, as they share how they brought the vision of this program to life and what they’ve learned in the decade since.
Dive into the Urban Institute’s 2024 Impact Report to see how their data-driven research translated into real-world change—shaping prison reform, guiding Hurricane Helene and Milton recovery, and unlocking Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds for newborns. Including 451 publications, 50,833 media mentions, 346 high-level policymaker engagements, and 95 convenings, their work equipped leaders with the evidence needed to build apprenticeship programs, strengthen Head Start, and harness artificial intelligence for housing and health care. Local evaluations—spanning Austin’s guaranteed income pilot to Denver’s supportive housing model and Philadelphia’s benefits-access initiative—demonstrate how rigorous analysis drives community progress.
This email was sent by: Urban Institute
500 L’Enfant Plaza SW Washington, DC 20024
