Health & Medicine was formed in 1981, when Chicago health and social justice advocate Quentin D. Young, MD brought a group of social justice advocates together to form a health policy think tank. Together they planned to research, educate, and convene stakeholders to challenge health inequities and improve the health of all people in Illinois. They envisioned a nimble and responsive “action tank” that would address urgent issues as they arose; oppose the exploitation of the health system for profit and support health care as a human right; promote the elimination of health inequities, and act independently of institutional ties and obligations. Learn more about our first 40 years here.