In the past years, our country’s starkest disparities have been brought to the forefront. Centuries of injustice have aligned to create recipes for disadvantage for underserved communities and communities of color. This cycle perpetuates disparities in health, wealth, life expectancy, and justice that persist today. The devastation left by the coronavirus – the deaths, job losses, and social isolation – as well as instances of police brutality and hateful mass shootings all underscore a pressing need for change.

We see this moment as a powerful time to reflect and commit to doing more. At the Foundations of Health Research Center, we are a diverse team on the frontlines of resilience-based research. Research like ours has shown that external stressors embed themselves in body and mind, with detrimental outcomes. Through listening to stories of perseverance and resilience, we will work to outline ways out of health disparities and wider cycles of inequality, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color.

Thank you to all of the families who give their time and share their stories as part of our research studies. Thank you to all the health care workers and essential workers who have been on the frontlines during this pandemic. Thank you to all those who have been advocating for justice and safety for each and every member of our society. We are committed to your stories and to supporting your efforts.