Elizabeth Bachrad

Population Health Strategist

Elizabeth is a mission-driven advocate for the “Triple Win”—the intersection of health equity, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity. As a Population Health Strategist and Head of Strategy at Business for Health, she bridges the gap between government policy and industry innovation. With an academic background in Sport Psychology and Population Health, Elizabeth advises global organizations on human capital management, ensuring that health is treated as a long-term sustainable investment rather than a cost.

Lonnie Golden, PhD

Professor of Economics and Labor-Human Resources

Dr. Golden brings a salutogenic lens to the world of labor economics. His extensive research examines the vital connection between work hours, job quality, and human happiness. By analyzing the micro and macro effects of work-life conflicts, flexible scheduling, and the 4-day workweek, Lonnie identifies the structural determinants of mental and physical health in the modern economy. His work focuses on creating objective and subjective indicators that empower workers to assess and improve their own professional well-being.

Current Project Spotlight: Dr. Golden and Ms. Bachrad are currently collaborating on the development of the Salutogenic Work Inventory, a pioneering tool designed to measure the health-generating resources available within organizational structures.

Shimon Waldfogel, MD

Psychiatrist & Salutogenic Systems Architect

Dr. Waldfogel integrates decades of clinical expertise with a forward-looking approach to systemic health. His work is centers on developing salutogenic strategies that enhance well-being within the professional sphere, with a specialized focus on the current AI-work intersection. As technology reshapes the landscape of labor, Shimon is dedicated to ensuring that “Useful General Intelligence” serves to augment human coherence and resilience rather than diminish it. His frameworks provide a roadmap for maintaining purpose and health-promoting “sense of coherence” in an increasingly automated world.

Guided by our visionary Democracy, Opportunity, and Citizenship Moonshot, we are committed to a transformative shift in how we view health and society. This approach prioritizes creating environments that nurture individual and collective flourishing, equipping people with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to lead meaningful lives and engage fully in democratic processes.

Through innovative platforms, practical tools, and dynamic media initiatives, we work to enhance citizen agency and promote holistic well-being. Our programs empower individuals to develop core capabilities for meaningful participation, fostering inclusive communities where everyone has a voice and the opportunity to shape their future.

Join us in advancing the Democracy, Opportunity, and Citizenship Moonshot. Together, we can create a more equitable and health-focused society that prioritizes flourishing, resilience, and active engagement for all.

The Institute for Salutogenesis is a non-profit organization with a bold belief: every individual, regardless of their background, deserves the chance to reach their fullest potential. Our moonshot, Democracy of Opportunity, champions equitable access to the resources and conditions essential for all citizens to lead healthy, thriving lives and engage fully in our democracy.

Our Moonshot: Democracy, Opportunity and Citizenship

The Institute for Salutogenesis, is fueled by an audacious vision: the Democracy, Opportunity and Citizenship Moonshot . This isn't just a goal; it's a commitment to creating a world where every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive. Our moonshot is about maximizing human potential, fostering engaged communities, and creating a society where every citizen can flourish.

The Democracy, Opportunity and Citizenship Moonshot is the principle that all individuals, irrespective of their background or circumstances, deserve access to resources, opportunities, and societal support to thrive and achieve their full potential. It's about leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone has the chance to lead a fulfilling life.

Questions That Engage Us:

• What are the factors that contribute to individual flourishing?

• What is the role of the ecosystem (communities and culture) in the creation of flourishing life?

• How to provide for a society that creates and supports structures and processes that facilitate and promote individual flourishing from the first 1000 days of life?

Our Approach: Salutogenesis

At the heart of our work is salutogenesis, a revolutionary approach to health that shifts the focus from merely treating illness to actively creating and sustaining well-being. We look beyond the absence of disease to promote the factors that help individuals and communities flourish. Through innovative programs, cutting-edge research, and impactful advocacy, we're changing the conversation around health and well-being.

Our Theory of Change

We recognize that individual health is deeply intertwined with the systems we live and work within. To create lasting change, we focus on transforming these systems – our communities, workplaces, and healthcare – into environments that actively support health and well-being. The challenges facing individuals and society today are complex and interconnected. From health disparities to social inequities, these issues require innovative solutions that address root causes rather than just symptoms. The Institute for Salutogenesis is dedicated to driving meaningful change through a bold theory of change that leverages paradigm shifts and systems thinking.

Our Guiding Paradigms: Citizenism and Salutogenesis

Central to our strategy is the concept of paradigm shifts. These fundamental changes in underlying assumptions encourage us to rethink traditional frameworks and promote resilience, empowerment, and active engagement. By integrating diverse disciplines like biology, psychology, and political science, we aim to initiate meaningful systemic change while respecting the complexity of human experience.

The Salutogenic Paradigm

We prioritize promoting health and resilience over simply combating disease, recognizing well-being as a multi-faceted state. Inspired by the World Health Organization's definition of health, we embrace a holistic approach that encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being:

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

The Citizenism Paradigm

Grounded in the principles of the Declaration of Independence, this paradigm asserts the fundamental equality of all humans and their inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It emphasizes the power and responsibility of citizens to actively participate in shaping their communities and government:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Driving Systemic Change Through Paradigm Shifts

Fundamental shifts in underlying assumptions—paradigm shifts—are the key to transformative change. By promoting the Citizenism and Salutogenic paradigms, we aim to:

• Reshape Thinking: Challenge traditional approaches to health and governance, shifting the focus towards prevention, empowerment, and holistic well-being.

• Influence Policies and Practice: Advocate for policies that prioritize health, equity, and individual agency.

• Empower Individuals and Communities: Equip citizens and communities with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions and actively participate in shaping their lives and communities.

Our Tools for Change

• Moonshot Press: A multi-platform media initiative that empowers citizens and reshapes democratic engagement.

• Deliberation Platforms: Fostering dialogue and problem-solving through engaging formats.

• Citizen Toolbox: Equipping individuals with tools to become active participants in their communities.

• Embracing Advanced Technologies: Harnessing cutting-edge technologies to advance our mission.

• Health of the Nation: We use health-based indicators to monitor and measure meaningful progress.

Conclusion

At the Institute for Salutogenesis, we believe that by challenging traditional paradigms and embracing innovative approaches, we can create a society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Through our theory of change, we are working to transform systems, empower citizens, and build a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Our initiatives represent a significant departure from traditional approaches to early development and well-being. We recognize the critical importance of addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape individuals' lives from the earliest stages.

Focus Areas of the Institute for Salutogenesis

The Institute for Salutogenesis is dedicated to transforming health and well-being across every stage of life. We adopt a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to foster health and flourishing at personal, social, and political levels. Our focus areas are designed to create environments where every individual can thrive, supported by innovative paradigms and real-world applications.

Salutogenesis Along the Life Course

Our focus is a life course approach to health and well-being, beginning with the critical "First 1000 Days of Life" through to old age. We embrace the salutogenic model to strengthen individual and community health. Our strategy integrates the salutogenic model to address the social determinants of health at every life stage.

• The First 1000 Days: Emphasizing early life health, this period from preconception to a child's second birthday lays the foundation for long-term well-being.

• Childhood: Tailored interventions support health and development throughout childhood.

• Adulthood: Addressing the challenges and opportunities for adults to lead healthy, thriving lives.

• Elderhood: Focusing on factors that contribute to well-being for elders, ensuring a dignified and fulfilling later life.

Salutogenesis in Settings and Environments

Recognizing that health is shaped by our surroundings, we apply salutogenic principles across various settings where we live, work, and socialize.

• Community Well-being: Enhancing environmental, educational, and workplace wellness through community-based projects.

• Optimal Environments: Cultivating surroundings that support both individual and community health, enabling everyone to achieve their fullest potential.

The Salutogenic Healthcare System

We envision redefining American healthcare by prioritizing equity, sustainability, and accessibility. Our approach treats the whole person and proactively supports comprehensive health. We're leading the charge to redefine healthcare, prioritizing health creation, sustainability, and whole-person care. Our goal is a system that promotes health for all, not just treats illness.

• Equity and Sustainability: Creating a healthcare system that is fair and sustainable for all.

• Proactive Health: Focusing on nurturing comprehensive health and well-being, not just treating illness.

• Initiatives: This includes Self-Care, Academic Medicine and Clinical Practice, Research and Innovation, Advocacy and Public Health, and Digital Health.

Political Salutogenesis:

The Institute's Salutogenic Action Plan

Our Initiatives for 2026

• The First 1000 Days of Life: A salutogenic Approach We're investing in early childhood development to set the stage for a lifetime of health and thriving.

• Thriving in Montgomery County, PA: We're creating a model community for health and well-being, showing what's possible when we prioritize the factors that truly matter.

• Healthcare System Transformation: The Salutogenic Healthcare System We're working to create an accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare system that puts people first.

• The Salutogenic Workplace: Developing strategies and programs to enhance worker and workplace well being.

• ADA-The Whole Health and Wellbeing Assistant: Our innovative AI-powered tool empowers individuals with personalized insights and guidance to enhance their health journey.

• Health of the Nation: We use health-based indicators to monitor and measure meaningful progress.

Take Action with the Institute for Salutogenesis

Join us in creating a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. You can make a difference by:

• Personal Engagement: Use our resources to prioritize your health and well-being.

• Social Contribution: Engage with your community and advocate for healthy environments.

• Political Involvement: Use your voice to shape policies that prioritize health and well-being for all.

Join the Movement

Together, we can build a world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. Explore our website, follow our activities, and learn how you can contribute to a brighter future.

How You Can Get Involved

Join us in this transformative endeavor! Whether you're an individual looking to improve your own well-bei ng, a community leader seeking to strengthen your neighborhood, or a policymaker interested in systemic change, we have a place for you.

Take Action Today!

Visit our website, follow our Moonshot Press, or join us at our next community event. Together, we can build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and our democracy flourishes.

Diagram: The Institute for Salutogenesis

The Institute for Salutogenesis presents a comprehensive structure designed to promote health and well-being across various stages of life and societal settings. Each element of the Institute for Salutogenesis is interconnected, creating a holistic approach to health that is responsive to the needs of individuals and the community at various life stages and within different social and political contexts. The Institute's structure reflects a dedication to advancing health through a salutogenic lens, with a clear strategy and timeline for achieving its vision.

Personal Salutogenesis champions the individual's capacity to foster their own health and well-being. It adopts a holistic view, acknowledging that well-being is a multi-dimensional construct that extends beyond physical health to psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual facets. This concept is rooted in the salutogenic paradigm, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between individuals and their environment in shaping health outcomes.

Personal Wellbeing is informed by the salutogenic focus on empowering individuals to actively maintain and improve their own well-being through a salutogenic lens, emphasizing a Sense of Coherence (SoC) and leveraging Generalized and Specific Resistance Resources (GRRs and SRRs). Rooted in the salutogenic paradigm, this concept underscores the interconnectedness between individuals and their environment in shaping health outcomes.

Central to Personal Salutogenesis is the enhancement of an individual's SoC, which is a triad of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. By nurturing these components, individuals can better interpret and adapt to stressors, thereby promoting resilience and overall well-being. Various strategies, such as mindfulness, stress management, and self-reflection, serve as GRRs that help people develop a strong SoC.

The approach also includes attention to SRRs, which are context-specific aids like family support or occupational resources that individuals can tap into during specific challenges. These SRRs, along with more universal GRRs like social skills or coping mechanisms, serve to fortify an individual's resilience and adaptability.

Healthy lifestyle choices, like balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep, also serve as GRRs. The institute offers resources and educational programs that focus on nurturing these GRRs, thereby enhancing SoC and promoting optimal health.

Personal Salutogenesis is an active, continuous process, inviting individuals to take ownership of their health. It encourages a culture of self-care, underpinned by the pursuit of lifelong learning and adaptability.

Three Areas of Focus for Personal Salutogenesis:

1. Enhancing Sense of Coherence: Programs and workshops aimed at building an individual's sense of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness, fundamental to a robust SoC.

2. Leveraging Resistance Resources: Offering resources that develop both GRRs and SRRs, such as stress management techniques for universal application and context-specific support systems for targeted needs.

3. Holistic Lifestyle Support: Providing guidelines and tools for cultivating a healthy lifestyle, which itself acts as a Generalized Resistance Resource, reinforcing the individual's SoC.

Through these focus areas, the Institute for Salutogenesis aims to offer a comprehensive framework that empowers individuals to lead a resilient, balanced life, with an enhanced SoC and well-equipped resistance resources."

We empower individuals to enhance personal resilience, activate their strengths, and reach their full potential for health and fulfillment.

What we do:

• Provide resources and education to empower individuals in personal health creation

• Develop salutogenic screening tools and interventions for use in healthcare

• Enable individuals to enhance resilience and actualize their full health potential

• Disseminate knowledge and tools for self-care and wellbeing

Vocabulary we use:

• Adaptability: Adaptability is the ability to cope with change and stress in a healthy way. People with high adaptability are able to find positive ways to deal with difficult situations.

• Purpose: Purpose is a sense of meaning and direction in life. People with a strong sense of purpose feel like their lives have value and that they are making a difference in the world.

• Growth: Growth refers to the process of personal development and learning. People with high growth are constantly striving to improve themselves and learn new things.

• Affiliation: Affiliation refers to the strength of social connections. People with strong social ties have a network of supportive friends and family members.

• Resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. People with high resilience are able to recover from difficult experiences and come back stronger.

Antonovsky’s central finding was deceptively simple. People remain well, under conditions that should crush them, when their world feels comprehensible, when the resources to meet it are within reach, and when their effort is connected to something worth caring about. He called the combination a sense of coherence, and he showed across decades of research that it is one of the strongest predictors we have of how a human life unfolds under stress.

I spent nearly forty years sitting with patients in the aftermath of loss — of capacity, of role, of the work that had defined them. What I learned at those bedsides is what Antonovsky predicted in his lectures. People break when the world stops making sense, when their resources feel out of reach, and when the thread connecting their effort to something larger goes slack. We lose those conditions — individually and as a society — far more easily than we like to admit.

Salutogenesis asks a different question of every institution: not what is making us sick, but what would make us well.

After retirement I returned to Antonovsky’s work the way one returns to a long letter that finally makes sense. I was reawakened to it by Dr. Sir Harry Burns, the former chief medical officer of Scotland, who used the salutogenic framework to confront an opioid crisis conventional medicine could not reach. His work confirmed what I had come to suspect. Salutogenesis is not only a clinical model. It is a way of seeing families, workplaces, communities, technologies, and democracies.

The Institute for Salutogenesis is the vehicle I have built to carry that lens into public life. It is the framework beneath everything else I am working on — Moonshot Press, the People’s Commission on Technology and the American Future, and the broader civic work of this country’s 250th year. Its purpose is to bring the science of health, not the science of disease, into how we think about people and the conditions under which they thrive — and to apply that lens, with humility, to the questions of our moment, including what artificial intelligence is doing to work, attention, community, and the shared coherence a free society depends on.

I am one person, in my second-act stage of life, doing what I can with the time I have. Antonovsky taught me, more than four decades ago, that the question is never whether stress and disruption will come. They always do. The question is whether we can build the conditions under which human beings can meet what comes and remain whole.

That is the work of the Institute. I would be grateful for your company in it.

Introduction From the Publisher of Moonshot Press