Equity is a core goal of a high performance health system. However, in the United States, vulnerable populations, including low-income people, the uninsured, and disadvantaged racial and ethnic minorities, have more difficulty obtaining health care, receive worse care, and experience poorer health outcomes than other groups.

To ensure that these groups have access to health care capable of meeting their particular needs, The Commonwealth Fund has created the Vulnerable Populations Program, which includes both fellowship and grantmaking activities. The newly renamed Mongan Commonwealth Fund Fellowship Program (formerly The Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy) is designed for physicians interested in improving health care systems for vulnerable populations. The grantmaking program seeks to foster a health system capable of providing care that is patient-centered, population-based, comprehensive, high-quality, accountable, and integrated across the full continuum of care.

In a new blog post, Vulnerable Populations program officer Pamela Riley, M.D., M.P.H., and program associate Cara Dermody describe this grantmaking program.

To apply for a grant from The Commonwealth Fund's Vulnerable Populations program, visit Applicant and Grantee Resources.