Structural racism drives many health inequities in the United States, and laws and policies have played a major role in shaping unequal access to the conditions that support good health. Because colorblind approaches fail to remedy these harms, it is essential for policymakers and community leaders to understand the legal landscape related to race-conscious policymaking.
Recent court decisions and executive actions have increased scrutiny of efforts to advance racial equity. However, the core civil rights framework remains intact, and many equity‑focused policy strategies are fully lawful. Our new legal primer and webinar are designed to help changemakers develop and implement policies that center health and racial equity.
Read Our New Legal Primer
Policymaking to Advance Health & Racial Equity equips policymakers, public agencies, and community partners with practical and legally-grounded guidance on how to design, implement, and defend policies that promote equity. It explores the legal standards governing equitable policymaking and provides information on how to evaluate legal risks and apply strategies to advance feasible, community-informed solutions.
Watch Our Webinar
Watch a recording of our webinar on Policymaking to Advance Health & Racial Equity. This session lays the groundwork for why racial equity matters, offers an overview of the current legal landscape and its implications for health and racial equity, and introduces our new legal primer.
Posted 4/9/2026
Updated 5/13/2026