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.
Networks of state officials, advocates, and others aiming to invest in and transform primary care.
A program dedicated to 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 offer 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.
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.
Liberty Hyde Bailey professor of communication, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, senior associate dean of faculty and research, Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, founding co-director, Collaborative on Media and Messaging (COMM) for Health and Social Policy (commhsp.org), associate director, Cornell Health Policy Center, Cornell University
Jeff Niederdeppe, PhD, is the Liberty Hyde Bailey professor of communication in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and senior associate dean of faculty and research in the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University. He is a founding co-director of the Collaborative on Media and Messaging (COMM) for Health and Social Policy (commhsp.org) and associate director of the Cornell Health Policy Center. His research examines the content and effects of mass media campaigns, strategic messages, news and social media in shaping health and social policy. He has published more than 240 peer-reviewed articles in communication, public health, health policy, and medicine journals, and his work has been funded in recent years by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He was awarded the Outstanding Health Communication Scholar Award from the National Communication Association in 2026 and the Everett M. Rogers Award for contributions to advancing the study and/or practice of public health communication from the American Public Health Association (APHA) in 2026. He was elected as a Fellow of the International Communication Association in 2022, received the CALS Research and Extension Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Science and Public Policy in 2019.