2026 Policy Priorities and Solutions - Flipbook - Page 17
Chronic Disease Prevention
Chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity, are the leading causes of death,
disability, and escalating health-care costs in the United States. Six in ten Americans have at least one chronic
disease, and four in ten live with more than one, collectively driving nearly 90 percent of the United States’
annual $4.5 trillion in health-care spending. In parallel, youth across all socioeconomic classes and geographical
locations are experiencing rising rates of diet-related chronic diseases. The Institute champions solutions
that reflect the interconnected system focus of chronic disease, strengthen prevention, and expand access to
early screening and evidence-based care. Our priorities include advancing policies that strengthen integrated
pathways for community-based services and better connect individuals with a broad ecosystem of trusted
providers, including pharmacists and community health workers, who help keep people well where they live.
Mental Health Access and Innovation
Mental health conditions impact nearly 60 million people in the United States per year, contributing to an
economic toll of more than $282 billion annually. Early detection and intervention are paramount, as is closing
the mental health workforce gap. About 122 million Americans live in a designated shortage area and need
permanent access to telehealth, crisis response lines, and recovery-oriented treatment for substance use
disorder. In parallel, America is facing an unprecedented youth mental health crisis, with rising rates of anxiety,
depression, suicide, and emergency-room visits overwhelming families, schools, and health systems. Social
isolation, digital exposure, academic pressure, and gaps in accessible care have collided to leave millions of
young people without the timely support they need. Our research priorities focus on identifying insights and
actions for communities, policymakers, and organizations to increase access to mental health services and
resources, promote innovation in scalable health technologies, and address the effects of social media on
our youth.
Public Health Infrastructure Modernization
Robust systems are essential for safe and reliable care delivery, effective prevention and managing treatments,
and community resilience. A critical component of this infrastructure is the medical supply chain, which
safeguards public health and health-care systems in both crisis and non-emergency periods by ensuring
consistent access to high-quality tests, medicines, and essential supplies. Our priorities include advancing
policies, public-private partnerships, and data-driven solutions to bolster these systems—domestically and
globally—so that underpinning public health systems such as medical supply chains are resilient, equitable,
secure, and sustainable.
Women’s Health
The Institute has established the Women’s Health Network (the Network) as a global collaborative dedicated to
accelerating research, innovation, investment, and cross-sector collaboration to improve women’s health. The
Network leverages action-oriented convenings and cross-sector collective action to break down global silos,
identify scalable solutions to ecosystem challenges, and increase investment in women’s health. The Network
is designing investment funds for more diverse, scalable, and sustainable capital to improve access to quality
health innovations and create long-term impact for women worldwide. Through the Network’s proof-of-concept
activities and projects, deliverables will be produced that support the women’s health innovation ecosystem,
with current areas of focus emphasizing regulatory pain points, coverage and reimbursement, access to cancer
care, and employer-driven initiatives. Additionally, we continue to support policy development that enhances
women’s well-being, strengthens health outcomes, and boosts economic productivity.
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