Zip Code Exam

 /Equality Health Foundation

In America, your zip code can predict your life expectancy more accurately than your DNA. In cities across the country, crossing a street can mean a 14-year drop in lifespan — not because of genetics, but because of systemic inequality. The Zip Code Exam turned that invisible truth into a visceral experience.

Using real public health data, we launched hyper-targeted billboards on the borders between zip codes, with messages like “Cross this street, lose 10 years.” Each one pointed to zipcodeexam.com, where users could explore their community’s health score and send a personalized report to local leaders.

By replacing stethoscopes with street signs, the Zip Code Exam reframed public health as a matter of geography — and sparked action one neighborhood at a time.