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.


Priority Population Categories

    1. Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Groups
    2. Gender and Orientation Groups
    3. Disability, Neurodiversity, and Mental Health Groups
    4. Age and Life-Stage Groups
    5. Socioeconomic and Legal Status Groups (Coming Soon)


    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


    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
    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 images related to accessibility, including people using wheelchair ramps, screen readers, braille, service animals, headphones, sign language, and accessible parking
    Accessibility
    Topic - Possibilities
    Collage of portraits from 100 Million Healthier Lives movement
    Engaging People with Lived Experience Toolkit
    Tool - Toolkit/toolbox
    Brought to you by 100MHL
    Colorful compilation of photos of Black people
    Centering Black Voices
    Story - Original
    Brought to you by Community Commons
    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

      

      

     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