Vital Strategies 2021: Year in Review

Good health doesn't just happen—it is generated when societies value and support health for everyone.

In 2021, it was easy to despair as the world reeled from the effects of a pandemic that raged on. In cities and countries around the world, Vital Strategies worked with leaders who were able to see beyond the immediate crisis of COVID-19 and act to strengthen their systems for the future. We supported advances in health policy and practice in areas where progress had stalled for years. And we saw people and institutions who had not previously prioritized public health recognize that it is everyone’s mandate.

Vital Strategies’ work in more than 70 countries continued to accelerate in 2021, as we partnered with governments and civil society to strengthen their public health systems to contend with the most difficult health challenges of our time—from COVID-19 to air pollution to drug overdose to tobacco use. Working with local partners, we have touched the lives of millions of people through scalable interventions that prevent illness, injury and death. We worked in partnership to reimagine evidence-based, locally driven policies and practices to support and improve health and well-being.

The goal of our annual report was to encourage stakeholders, constituents, partners and influencers to see the value of investing in public health systems and see how much progress we can make on what seem like insurmountable challenges but can be solved through collaboration and will.

Using interactive media and engaging design, Vital Strategies 2021: Year in Review showcases how we can work together to reimagine public health. Our annual report highlights how all of our program areas’ actions and accomplishments work towards our ultimate goal of protecting everyone, everywhere with equitable and effective public health systems.