Advancing systems thinking and cross-sector collaboration to create a culture of health

Systems thinking provides a methodology to decode the complexity of health systems and design and evaluate interventions that maximize health and health equity. The World Health Organization report examines dynamics and challenges of systems thinking in healthcare with a focus on aligning policies, priorities, and managing and coordinating partnerships and expectations among stakeholders. Both Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Campaign for Action (CFA) have adopted this approach to garner trust, galvanize support, and inspire others toward meaningful action. The RWJF Culture of Health (COH) framework identifies four areas where action is needed to build a COH. These action areas include making health a shared value, fostering cross-sector collaboration to improve well-being, creating healthier, more equitable communities, and strengthening the integration of health services and systems with an outcome of population health and well-being surrounded by health equity.