WED-025 - Building Healthier States: The Role of Public Health in Policy Development
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM PST
Location: Pacific I/II, 2nd Floor
Area of Responsibility: Area V: Advocacy Subcompetencies: 5.2 Engage coalitions and stakeholders in addressing the health issue and planning advocacy efforts.
5.3 Engage in advocacy., 5.2 Engage coalitions and stakeholders in addressing the health issue and planning advocacy efforts. Research or Practice: Practice
Mixed Methods Research Manager athenahealth Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Describe the current landscape of public health challenges and highlight successful policy interventions that have improved health outcomes at the state level.
Demonstrate how collaboration between public health officials, policymakers, and community leaders has led to successful health initiatives, ranging from disease prevention to health equity measures.
Equip attendees with actionable insights and practical tools to advocate for public health priorities within their own state.
Brief Abstract Summary: - Explore the critical role of public health in shaping state policy to build healthier communities. - Outline the current landscape of public health challenges and highlight successful policy interventions that have improved health outcomes at the state level. - Highlight how public health frameworks can inform policy decisions, address health disparities, and enhance overall community well-being. - Equip attendees with actionable insights and practical tools to advocate for public health priorities within their own state. - Gain valuable insights into how to advocate for public health priorities and create impactful policies. - Demonstrate how collaboration between public health officials, policymakers, and community leaders has led to successful health initiatives, ranging from disease prevention to health equity measures.
Detailed abstract description: The health and well-being of communities are fundamentally influenced by policies enacted at the state level, affecting everything from access to healthcare services to the availability of nutritious food. This presentation explores the critical role of public health in shaping state policy to build healthier communities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies that prioritize health at all levels of governance. We will outline the current landscape of public health challenges, such as increasing rates of chronic diseases, a growing mental health crisis, and health disparities exacerbated by socioeconomic factors. This presentation will illustrate how public health principles can inform policy decisions that promote health equity and improve health outcomes. Through a series of case studies, we will highlight successful initiatives where public health frameworks have guided policy decisions. These examples will cover a range of topics, including access to mental health resources, PFAS (“forever chemicals”), and free school lunch programs. Key themes include the integration of data-driven public health insights into policy frameworks. We will also discuss strategies for engaging community leaders and fostering partnerships to ensure that policies are responsive to the unique needs of each community. This presentation will emphasize the importance of collaborative approaches in addressing today’s most pressing health issues. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with actionable insights and practical tools to advocate for public health priorities and create impactful policies that lead to healthier communities.
