Priority Populations


Priority populations are exploration avenues on Community Commons that represent diverse groups, communities, demographics, identities, statuses, and lived experiences. They connect users directly with populations of interest, lift up important underserved populations, and help root our work in equity and justice.


Importantly, we acknowledge that people are not defined solely by the population groups to which they belong—many factors contribute to what makes people who they are, and most people belong to more than one priority population group. These avenues are designed to break down silos and support changemakers working to advance equitable well-being by making people-centered content more discoverable on Community Commons.


Interventions and initiatives to improve community well-being are more likely to be effective when tailored to a community’s specific needs, which are influenced by its community conditions and the people who live in that community and their lived experience. Lived experiences are greatly affected by the population group(s) to which one belongs. To increase the effectiveness of investments and advance equitable well-being, it’s helpful to consider the priority populations who live in a given community, and where applicable, to tailor initiatives for specific population groups. Because of this, large funders and grantmakers often ask grantees to specify the priority population(s) towards which funding will be primarily directed. 


Tailoring strategies for specific priority populations (especially to the perspectives, practices, and preferences of the most impacted groups) and engaging affected residents and stakeholders in decision-making can decrease health disparities. Certain population groups are more at risk for marginalization and face unique barriers. The sections below have slightly different framing to help changemakers more-easily navigate resources for advancing equitable well-being. Priority population groups below are broken into nine overarching categories. Some categories also include important intersectional groups—such as Women of Color and LGBTQ+ Youth—which allow deeper exploration into the complexities of identity and lived experience. Please check back regularly for updates, as we continuously work to improve representation and information equity on Community Commons.


Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Groups

Racial, ethnic, and cultural groups describe populations of people who share common racial or ethnic demographics, ancestry, nations of origin, Indigeneity, cultures, and/or languages. Learn about specific groups or explore the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Health Equity Library, which houses resources related to all BIPOC individuals, population groups, and communities. For resources related specifically to Indigenous peoples and First Nations, begin with the Indigenous Knowledge Library. For skill-building regarding partnership and allyship with BIPOC communities, leverage resources and tools from the Racial Justice Journey Library.


Photo of an Indigenous person holding a drum. Behind them is a scene of a lake and forested mountains.
Indigenous Knowledge Library
Library
Brought to you by Community Commons
Published on 08/04/2022
Collage of images of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color with teal, olive green, golden yellow, and burnt orange transparent overlays. Bold white text on charcoal background at the top reads
BIPOC Health Equity Library
Library
Brought to you by Community Commons
Published on 09/27/2022
Collage of photos of diverse Jewish Americans
Jewish Americans
Topic - People


Gender and Orientation Groups

Gender and orientation groups describe populations of people who share common genders, identities, and sexual and romantic orientations. For information on specific priority populations and to browse related resources, explore the topic pages below. For information specifically on LGBTQ+ genders and orientations, explore the LGBTQ+ Health Equity Library.


Collage of images of LGBTQ+ people with transparent overlays in progress pride flag colors. At the top, bold white text on a charcoal background reads
LGBTQ+ Health Equity Library
Library
Brought to you by Community Commons
Published on 03/01/2022
Collage of photos of diverse women and girls
Women and Girls
Topic - People
Collage of photos of diverse LGBTQ+ people
LGBTQ+ People
Topic - People


Age and Life-Stage Groups

Age and life-stage groups describe populations of people who share common age groups and/or are at different stages of their lives. People in this category face unique barriers, often associated with the group(s) to which they belong. Generally, people of all ages and life stages who are Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color, disabled, LGBTQ+, and/or living in economic poverty are the most likely to experience health inequity. Explore the topic pages below to delve into more details and browse related resources.


Collage of photos of diverse parents and families
Parents and Families
Topic - People
Collage of photos of diverse young and emerging adults
Young and Emerging Adults
Topic - People
Collage of youth and children
Children and Youth
Topic - People
Collage of photos of diverse older adults
Older Adults
Topic - People


Socioeconomic and Legal Status Groups

Socioeconomic and legal status groups include workers, people living in poverty, justice-involved individuals, and the uninsured, all of whom face unique challenges that impact their health and well-being. Addressing these issues requires systemic employment, social support, housing, healthcare, and justice reform changes. Explore the topic pages below for information on specific priority populations and to browse related resources.

Photo of two people in their workplace. Orange banner reads
Employment
Topic - Quality Of Life
Photo of a person holding an empty waller. A yellow banner spanning the top of the image contains white text that reads
People Living in Poverty
Topic - People


Priority Populations in Action

To advance health equity, justice, and belonging, priority populations must be centered in all work across all sectors. Explore the resources below for an initial place to start.


Advancing Equitable Economies Policy Library logo
Advancing Equitable Economies Policy Library
Library
Brought to you by WIN Network
Published on 04/20/2021
Indigenous person standing in front of a desert landscape in traditional clothing. The bright sun is rising behind them.
Decolonization
Topic - Possibilities
Collage of photos of people of color with warm purple and orange overlays. White writing across the top reads
Racial Justice Journey Library
Library
Published on 02/22/2022
Collage of images related to accessibility, including people using wheelchair ramps, screen readers, braille, service animals, headphones, sign language, and accessible parking
Accessibility
Topic - Possibilities
Illustration of six people standing side-by-side, each with a different color shirt (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) and their pronouns written across their chest.
Beyond Inclusion: Pronoun Use for Health and Well-Being
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Collage of portraits from 100 Million Healthier Lives movement
Engaging People with Lived Experience Toolkit
Tool - Toolkit/toolbox
Brought to you by 100MHL
Photo of a person with dark skin holding two stacks of gold coins. One stack is half the size of the other stack.
The Growing Gap: Gender Pay Equity, Meaningful Work, and Wealth during COVID-19
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Photo of person with long dark hair being kissed on the cheek by a child in a bright yellow jacket
Tribal Health: Reinvesting in the Indian Health Service
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Thriving Campuses Toolkit banner image
Thriving Campuses Toolkit
Tool - Toolkit/toolbox
Brought to you by Community Commons
Published on 01/05/2022
Colorful compilation of photos of Black people
Centering Black Voices
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons

  

  

 Related Topics


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Young and Emerging Adults

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Jewish Americans

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People with Disabilities

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Accessibility

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Older Adults

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Middle Eastern and Arab Americans

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Transgender and Nonbinary People

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Parents and Families

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Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

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Hispanic and Latinx People

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Children and Youth

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LGBTQ+ People

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Autism

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Native Americans and First Nations

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Black and African Americans

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Women and Girls