To have health is to have vigor of body, of mind, and of spirit. To be healthy is to be living at one's utmost capacity.

In 1946, the World Health Organization defined health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." It is this definition that fuels Health Philanthropy's conception of health. We believe not in an illness care system but in a health care system. We believe in prevention.

And philanthropy - the concept and the word - comes from Greek: philos, meaning love or affection, and anthropos, meaning humankind. Thus the word literally means, "love of humankind."

Health Philanthropy aims to help navigate the way toward an improved health system in the United States, empowered through philanthropic organizations at the service of the people.