Supporting Community Health & Well-Being | The AIR Opportunity Fund
To create communities where all people can thrive, we must understand and address the social and environmental factors that shape health and well-being.
The AIR Opportunity Fund supports projects focused on addressing health disparities in the U.S. and globally, exploring the connections between the environment and wellness, and supporting the next generation of public health leaders.
Together with researchers and community partners, we address issues ranging from the effects of pollution on student performance outcomes to the importance of safe housing and accessible health care. The approaches we fund include program evaluation, research-informed technical assistance, and the development of tools for advocacy and communications.
We fund interventions to address urgent public health crises including maternal health disparities, substance use disorders, and other societal challenges related to mental and physical well-being. Together, these efforts aim to create healthier, more resilient communities.
Funded Focus Areas
Ensuring Everyone Has an Opportunity to Thrive
- Reducing health disparities and examining social determinants of health
- Population-specific approaches to support improved outcomes in maternal health, substance use disorders, and mental health
Climate Justice & Community Resilience
- Climate justice and environmental health
- Non-clinical community health leadership and capacity building
Project Highlights
MATADOHR: Addressing Addiction and Health Disparities in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Tackling Addiction Determinants of Health Through Research (MATADOHR) project links and analyzes 29 administrative data sources across state agencies and uses a participatory approach with high-risk residents and diverse stakeholders to better understand how overdose outcomes vary by racial and ethnic groups.
Exploring Medicaid Policy's Role in Reducing Racial Disparities in Maternal Health
This study aims to identify Medicaid policies that effectively reduce racial disparities in maternal mortality and other maternal health outcomes. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study is assessing the impact of these policies with input from those affected by them. The goal of this work is to create actionable recommendations and inform a long-term agenda for improving maternal health equity.
Assessing the Impact of Health Professional Shortage Areas on Primary Care
This project aims to assess the effectiveness of Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (pcHPSA) designations in improving primary care access and health outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries, particularly in underserved rural and inner-city areas. The study is evaluating whether pcHPSA designations increase the number of primary care providers, boost healthcare utilization, and enhance outcomes for these communities.
Global Health Corps Fellows: Advancing Health Equity in Africa
This grant supports the Global Health Corps Fellows in building a global movement for health equity by investing in early-career leaders in East and Southern Africa. The program equips Fellows with the skills, mentorship, networks, and opportunities needed to drive systemic change. Operating in Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia, the fellowship program creates a network of leaders dedicated to advancing health equity across the African continent.
Promoting Equity Funding for Schools Facing Adverse Health Circumstances
This project aims to explore the link between environmental health factors and student achievement, particularly for children of color who are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. The project includes a small-scale pilot and a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of classroom air purifiers on student achievement across different racial groups.
