The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
A bipartisan group of state health policymakers from both the executive and legislative branches who are focused on improving population health.
Supporting networks of state officials, advocates, and others aiming to invest in and transform primary care.
Advancing state-based efforts to make health care more affordable for residents, employers, and states.
The Milbank Memorial Fund supports two state leadership programs for legislative and executive branch state government officials committed to improving population health.
A leadership development program for early and mid-career state government officials who are committed to improving the health of all people in their communities.
A leadership program for senior state government officials who are committed to improving population health.
The Fund focuses on creating an affordable health care system built on strong primary care and partnerships that improve health outcomes for all.
Improving state leaders ability to enact and implement evidence-based health policies.
Advancing policies that create a more prevention- and primary care-oriented health system.
Improving population health through policies that contain health care cost growth.
Our state health policy resources provide relevant data analysis and best practices.
The Fund publishes reports, issues briefs, and case studies on state health policy issues.
Short takes on health policy issues from Milbank staff and guest authors.
Insights from Milbank President Debra Lubar on state health policymaking.
Reported articles and Q&As on timely health policy issues, as well as foundation updates.
Upcoming and past Milbank Memorial Fund and Milbank Quarterly webinars featuring state health policymakers and researchers.
Updates and expert contact information for reporters.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is a private foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
The Future of Population Health (Volume 101)
Quarterly Article
Bianca K. Frogner
Davis Patterson
Susan M. Skillman
Sep 2, 2026
Aug 19, 2026
Jun 29, 2026
Back to The Milbank Quarterly
Policy Points:
Improving population health, or the health outcomes of a group of individuals,1 requires a competent, flexible, and robust workforce that is coordinated across systems of clinical care, public health, and social services. At a National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine workshop on the population health workforce in February 2022,2 speakers generally agreed that a workforce well-versed in the social and structural determinants of health (SDOH)4 to address health equity and that centers on the community is necessary for addressing population health. Reducing disparities and achieving health equity relies on a complex web of city, county, state, and federal policies and programs interacting with health care delivery systems, social services, educational systems, employers, and other stakeholders.3 Because relevant occupations that affect people’s health extend beyond both clinical and public health service providers to encompass a variety of community service providers and others, defining the population health workforce is a challenge. In this perspective piece, we discuss how the population health workforce has been defined, including which occupations have been identified as being part of the population health workforce, and where efforts have been proposed or implemented to integrate population health competencies into other occupations. We discuss the actions needed to recruit and retain a diverse population health workforce that meets population needs, and the policies needed to support this workforce to successfully address population health.