The Model Just Changed: What the New RWJF Health Framework Means for Your Department—and How to Respond

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) recently released an updated Model of Health—and it changes the game.

Whether you're just beginning your CHNA or refreshing your strategic plan, this new model requires a shift in how you collect, interpret, and visualize data. At Ascendant Healthcare Partners, we're already integrating this framework into our services—offering census tract-level mapping and Cost to the Community Analysis™ to help you lead with data, not just comply.

1. What Changed in the RWJF Model?

The new RWJF framework includes key shifts:

• Upweighted importance of housing, transportation, education, and income

• Greater clarity on social & structural drivers of health

• New visual structure for communicating upstream and downstream influences

 Explore the updated model here

“Community conditions drive 50% of health outcomes. The RWJF model now reflects that reality.” — CountyHealthRankings.org

This is no longer just about health behaviors. It’s about the systems that shape opportunity.

2. What This Means for CHNAs and CHIPs

Most current CHNAs still rely heavily on county-level data and broad community survey responses. That’s a problem.

The updated model demands localization—understanding how outcomes differ within counties, not just across them.

Here’s what departments must consider:

Are you using ZIP- or tract-level data to identify disparities? 

Are your indicators aligned with the new RWJF categories? 

Can your CHNA show geographic burden in a visual format?

If not, your next plan could fall short of accreditation, funding justification, or community trust.

 3. How Ascendant Healthcare Partners Can Help

We’ve translated this new model into actionable, ready-to-use tools that align directly with PHAB standards and funding requirements.

Census Tract-Level Mapping

We use validated data to build high-impact, hyperlocal maps that visualize:

• Health disparities by race, age, income

• Access to care, food insecurity, internet availability

• Housing burden, commute time, and more

See your County Profile. You can even request this mapping as a stand-alone service, separate from a full CHNA Cost to the Community Analysis™

While maps show where, our economic modeling shows how much inaction costs:

• Lost wages due to preventable disease

• ER visits linked to lack of access

• Annual community impact in dollars

Explore the Cost to the Community™ methodology

Combined, these tools make your report not just compliant—but persuasive.

4. Why Departments Nationwide Are Adopting This Now

In the last 12 months, we’ve seen:

• Dozens of departments shift to mapping-based CHNAs

• Grant applications approved with visual data included

• Policy changes initiated using ROI and ZIP-level burden analysis

  
  

It’s no longer enough to say “health matters.” You have to show it—visually, locally, and financially.

“Our new maps and financial impact model were the turning point in winning council support.” — Health Administrator, NC

5. Use Case: Manchester, New Hampshire

Manchester partnered with Ascendant Healthcare Partners to elevate their CHNA using census tract-level mapping and a Cost to the Community Analysis™ focused on housing-related health impacts.

They were able to:

• Pinpoint census tracts with overlapping rates of severe rent burden, poor housing quality, and emergency department visits for respiratory illness

• Model a $12.3 million annual economic burden tied to housing-related health outcomes—especially asthma, injuries, and stress-related conditions

6. Get Started in 2 Ways

1. Explore your community’s County Health Profile: → View Your Maps + Indicators

https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data

2. Book a discovery consult with our team: → Schedule a Call

Whether you need a full CHNA or just want to add mapping or financial impact, we’ll meet you where you are.

Schedule a Discovery Call