Opportunity for Health

The American Dream

Our country’s unique ideal is about economic opportunity—the idea that anyone can rise up in social class, regardless of their background. However, in recent decades, the American Dream has faded away for many. For others, it was never a reality. Economic opportunity (or a lack thereof) can affect our lives in many ways. Our work focuses on one major question: how does economic opportunity affect our health? In answering this question, our goal is to identify and develop policies that improve access to the American Dream and bolster population health.

Our Mission

Better Opportunity, Better Health.

We at Opportunity for Health are dedicated to understanding how the American Dream affects America’s health, and identifying ways to help bolster both economic opportunity and health. Our research uses advanced statistical techniques and new data on economic opportunity—and the events and policies that shape it—to achieve these goals. The takeaway?

Economic opportunity—the extent to which one’s income does not depend on that of their parents’—is good for health.

We aim to work closely with partners in academia, government, and industry to leverage our findings to improve the health of all Americans.
Topics

Immigration Policy, Opportunity, and Health

Structural Racism and Health Disparities

Health Consequences of a Changing Economy

Opportunity Policy

Our Impact
The Latest
The Ties Between Structural Racism, Voting Rights, and Health Equity
Video · Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics
Economic Opportunity, Drug Overdose Mortality, and Disability
Research Article · Center for Financial Security, University of Wisconsin, Working Paper
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