What makes health equity, the opportunity for all people to be healthy and thrive, possible? According to Dr. Brian Smedley, it starts with recognizing our nation’s profound health disparities and the role of place and race in determining health outcomes. Data shows higher rates of mortality in communities of color where food options, quality of air, soil and the physical state of schools and housing, including exposure to lead, endanger residents. And people in rural areas are compromised by a lack of access to health resources and care. As executive director of National Collaborative for Health Equity, Brian Smedley believes that until we grapple with the injustice of these disparities we cannot change the conditions that marginalize whole communities. The Collaborative harnesses the talents of communities and health professionals, to transform systems and change lives.