12.07.23 — Northeastern Law’s Center for Health Policy and Law (CHPL), in collaboration with Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences’ Institute for Health Equity and Social Justice Research, has received $1 million from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to support and expand upon Salus Populi, the nation’s first education program for judges that provides critical information about the social determinants of health. RWJF played a central role in funding the launch of Salus Populi in 2020 and renewed its support in 2022. This additional funding will allow Salus Populi to expand the program’s reach, including the development of a course for judges on racism and health equity in collaboration with the Northeastern Law’s Center for Law, Equity and Race (CLEAR).

“This major award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in addition to its past generous support of Salus Populi speaks to the critical role our program plays in educating the nation’s judiciary about the how the social determinants of health impact so many of the individuals and families who end up in courtrooms,” said Professor Wendy E. Parmet, CHPL faculty director and co-principal investigator of Salus Populi.

CLEAR Managing Director Deborah A. Jackson will work with CHPL to develop the new in-depth course focusing on racism, health equity and judicial decision-making. Professor Margaret Burnham, co-faculty director of CLEAR, will also serve as advisor to the course development team.

“Judges’ decisions are enriched when they have a fuller understanding of how social, economic, and community factors shape people’s lives. Racism, in particular, is a powerful influence over the laws that we have as a nation, how they are applied, and who benefits and who is harmed,” said Dr. Giridhar Mallya, senior policy officer at the RWJF. “We are proud to be supporting the important work of Salus Populi.”

About Northeastern University School of Law

The nation’s leader in experiential legal education since 1968, Northeastern University School of Law offers the longest-running, most extensive experience-based legal education program in the country. Northeastern guarantees its students unparalleled practical legal work experiences through its signature Cooperative Legal Education Program. More than 1,000 employers worldwide in a wide range of legal, government, nonprofit and business organizations participate in the program. With a focus on social justice and innovation, Northeastern University School of Law blends theory and practice, providing students with a unique set of skills and experiences to successfully practice law.

For more information, contact d.feldman@northeastern.edu