We can build new bridges to health

November 13, 2024
“It is easy to become immobilized by injustice. At times it all feels like too much. [Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s] “Bridge to Health” model offers some hope that we have the agency to replace these old bridges with new ones that enable everyone to thrive.”

Keleigh Waldner is the Senior Manager of Communications and Research at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.


She writes, "When someone asks me how to explain structural racism or social determinants of health, I often direct them to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s 'Bridge to Health' model. The bridge metaphor illustrates structural racism in an accessible way. One bridge is built to safely carry people to their destination of good health, while the other is intentionally constructed with barriers. 


I appreciate this metaphor because it highlights the human role in creating systems and practices that value some lives more than others. This isn’t a natural occurrence; it’s the result of intentional decisions over time. Given the rise in rhetoric suggesting that our genes are responsible for our intelligence or criminality, it feels important to emphasize this point. Inequality isn’t genetic, rather, it is deeply steeped into our policies, systems, and environments. 


It is easy to become immobilized by injustice. At times it all feels like too much. The 'Bridge to Health' model offers some hope that we have the agency to replace these old bridges with new ones that enable everyone to thrive." 

share this

Related Articles

June 27, 2025
Access webinar materials from the June 25, 2025 webinar, Fighting for Air: Updates on the proposed biomass plant in Springfield : Recording Slides This webinar featured: State Senator Adam Gomez Attorney Michael Fenton, Springfield City Council President Rusty Polsgrove, Associate Director, Arise for Social Justice Dr. Matthew Sadof, pediatrician, Baystate Health Sarita Hudson, Senior Director of Strategy and Development, Public Health Institute of Western MA Learn more about the bills discussed in the webinar: An Act to remove woody biomass from the greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants An Act limiting the eligibility of woody biomass as an alternative energy supply Written testimony can be submitted via email to Benjamin Minerva at Ben.Minerva@masenate.gov and Caleb Oakes at Caleb.Oakes@mahouse.gov . When submitting written testimony, please send it as an attachment and use the following document title format: Bill# - Your Organization’s Name – Support/Oppose. View some of the media coverage of the event: Webinar held to address possible Springfield biomass plant, Western Mass News, 6/25/25 Battle over proposed Springfield biomass plant rages on, New England Public Media, 6/26/25 Foes, officials won’t shrink from fight to keep ‘Frankenstein’ plant out of city, The Republican, 6/26/25
June 18, 2025
Putting Resources Into Practice
June 6, 2025
Fighting For Air: Updates on the proposed biomass plan in Springfield