Adult Health and Wellness
Every adult deserves the opportunity to live a healthier, longer life. Yet too many face barriers created by health challenges and chronic conditions. At New York Academy of Medicine, we work to improve healthspan for all, helping ensure that everyone has what they need to live a healthier, longer life.
Bridging the Gap to Healthier, Longer Lives for All
Chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease reflect deep-seated challenges in prevention, access, and care. These conditions disproportionately harm low-income communities and communities of color, demanding urgent, collective action to build a healthier future for everyone.
Nearly 6 in 10
adults in the U.S. live with at least one chronic disease, and 4 in 10 live with two or more. These conditions account for 90% of the nation's $4.1 trillion annual healthcare costs.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
3.5x
Black adults are disproportionately affected by chronic kidney disease, experiencing rates 3.5 times higher than white adults. This disparity extends throughout the care continuum—from delayed diagnosis to reduced access to transplantation—contributing to preventable complications and mortality.
National Kidney Foundation
Twice as Likely
Adults living in poverty are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease and are less likely to receive the preventive care that could save their lives.
National Center for Health Statistics
Transforming Adult Health Through Evidence-Based Solutions
East Harlem Action Collaboration
Our East Harlem Action Collaboration addresses chronic disease prevention in one of Manhattan's most health-challenged neighborhoods. Through community-driven interventions, data-informed strategies, and cross-sector partnerships, this collaboration tackles the social determinants that fuel diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The model demonstrates how targeted prevention can reduce healthcare costs while improving population health outcomes in underserved communities.
Advancing Culturally Inclusive Food Support
During the COVID pandemic, New York Academy of Medicine worked to uncover barriers and solutions for culturally inclusive food distribution in New York City. By engaging frontline organizations, NYAM documented the needs of diverse communities and highlighted gaps like limited food options. Their work produced actionable strategies — such as client-driven food selection and community partnerships — to help ensure all New Yorkers have access to culturally relevant foods.
This community-focused approach is now a model for cities aiming to advance healthier futures through education and strong partnerships.
Ending Race-Based Kidney Function Calculations
CERCA, the Coalition to End Racism in Clinical Algorithms, is a citywide initiative led by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to address the use of race in clinical decision-making. As part of this effort, NYAM conducted evaluation and implementation research on the removal of race from kidney function calculations at two NYC safety-net health systems and created the animated short film 1.159 if Black to help patients, clinicians, and community members engage with the history, impact, and human consequences of race-based clinical algorithms.
