Driven to Improve Lives: Bringing Health Equity Closer to Home

By Malcolm Jenkins Foundation

Health begins with how we care for ourselves at home. It starts with the information a parent has about their health, the questions a young person feels comfortable asking, the knowledge that helps a family recognize when something isn’t right, and the life-saving skills that make a difference when the unexpected happens.

Health equity means making health information and preventive care available before a family faces a crisis.

At Get Ready Fest® 2026, Jefferson, brought those opportunities to Philadelphia families.

As our Health Equity Sponsor, Jefferson gave families space to ask questions, access to blood pressure screenings, and guided practice in life-saving skills they can carry with them. For the second year in a row, Jefferson sponsored the Get Ready Fest® Health Zone, creating a welcoming place for families to take a next step towards better health.

Driven to Improve Lives

Improving lives starts with knowing what to look for, what to ask, and what to do next. Jefferson's commitment to improving lives every day extends beyond healthcare settings. Its community health work brings education, screenings, prevention, and connections to care into the neighborhoods where people live.

At Get Ready Fest® 2026, health became a family experience centered on information families can use in everyday life.

Seniors and parents could have their blood pressure checked, and ask what their numbers meant. Families spoke with Jefferson health professionals about safety tips and health training opportunities. Young people and adults took part in Jefferson’s Stop the Bleed and CPR demonstrations, where they could watch, practice, and ask questions about what to do during an emergency.

These conversations began with curiosity. Families had a chance to learn and prepare together, in a place where they were already gathered.

Heading towards the Future, Together

As the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation works toward reaching 1,000,000 youth and young adults by 2040, support from sponsors like Jefferson helps make that goal possible. Jefferson’s presence at Get Ready Fest®, reflects a commitment to meeting families where they are and giving them the tools they can use long after the event.

Thank you to Jefferson, our Health Equity Sponsor, for bringing health education, preventive care, and life-saving skills to Philadelphia families—and for helping build a healthier path forward.