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.


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    Indigenous Knowledge Library
    Library
    Brought to you by Community Commons
    Published on 08/04/2022
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    BIPOC Health Equity Library
    Library
    Brought to you by Community Commons
    Published on 09/27/2022
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    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.


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    LGBTQ+ Health Equity Library
    Library
    Brought to you by Community Commons
    Published on 03/01/2022
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    Women and Girls
    Topic - People
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    LGBTQ+ People
    Topic - People


    Disability, Neurodiversity, and Mental Health Groups

    Disability, neurodiversity, and mental health groups describe populations of people who live with shared disabilities, mental health conditions, and other developmental, neurological, cognitive, and psychological differences. For information on specific priority populations and to browse related resources, explore the topic pages below. For information specifically on accessibility and health equity specifically for these populations, explore the Accessibility and Disability Equity Library.


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    Accessibility and Disability Equity Library
    Library
    Published on 09/01/2022
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    People with Disabilities
    Topic - People
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    Autism
    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.


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    Parents and Families
    Topic - People
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    Young and Emerging Adults
    Topic - People
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    Children and Youth
    Topic - People
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    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.


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    Advancing Equitable Economies Policy Library
    Library
    Brought to you by WIN Network
    Published on 04/20/2021
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    Beyond Inclusion: Pronoun Use for Health and Well-Being
    Story - Original
    Brought to you by Community Commons
    Published on 10/20/2021
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    Accessibility
    Topic - Possibilities
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    Decolonization
    Topic - Possibilities
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    Racial Justice Journey Library
    Library
    Published on 02/22/2022
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    Engaging People with Lived Experience Toolkit
    Tool - Toolkit/toolbox
    Brought to you by 100MHL
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    Centering Black Voices
    Story - Original
    Brought to you by Community Commons
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    The Growing Gap: Gender Pay Equity, Meaningful Work, and Wealth during COVID-19
    Story - Original
    Brought to you by Community Commons
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    Tribal Health: Reinvesting in the Indian Health Service
    Story - Original
    Brought to you by Community Commons
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    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