THURS-038 - Enhancing Public Health Through Legislative Awareness
Thursday, April 17, 2025
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM PST
Location: Pacific I/II, 2nd Floor
Area of Responsibility: Area II: Planning Subcompetencies: 1.1.3 Identify existing and available resources, policies, programs, practices, and interventions., 5.1.5 Identify existing coalition(s) or stakeholders that can be engaged in advocacy efforts. Research or Practice: Practice
Engagement Specialist Network of the National Library of Medicine Laramie, Wyoming, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to utilize legislative tracking databases to identify, monitor, and analyze bills affecting public health policy throughout the legislative process.
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to formulate informed advocacy strategies based on data retrieved from legislative databases.
Upon completion of the session, partisipants will be able to structe a search using legislative tracking databases.
Brief Abstract Summary: Law and policy are essential tools for protecting and promoting the health of the public, but public health law is not part of most public health, medical, or nursing training. Monitoring bills as they move through the legislative process can be time-intensive. Knowing where pertinent legislation is in the pipeline is important for organizations to be proactive and influence decisions. The National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) maintains more than 50 active legislation-tracking databases on topics relevant to public health and policy development. NCSL provides objective, fact- and evidence-based (nonpartisan) research and other resources to support the policymaking process. This session is for public health professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of the legislative landscape. Equipping participants with the tools to track legislation empowers them to advocate for policies that promote health equity and community well-being.
Detailed abstract description: In today's complex public health landscape, effective public health policy is crucial for safeguarding the well-being of communities. However, public health law often remains underrepresented in the training of public health professionals, medical practitioners, and nurses. This gap leaves many ill-equipped to navigate the intricacies of legislative processes that directly affect community health outcomes. Recognizing this challenge, our presentation aims to bridge the divide by providing comprehensive resources to equip public health stakeholders with the knowledge and tools they need to engage with policy effectively.
One of the primary obstacles organizations face is the time-consuming nature of monitoring legislative developments. Understanding where critical bills are in the legislative pipeline is vital for proactive engagement and advocacy. Our presentation will leverage the resources of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), which offers a wealth of nonpartisan, evidence-based research and technical assistance to support the policymaking process. With over 50 active legislation-tracking databases, NCSL provides invaluable insights into bills and resolutions across a variety of public health topics.
These databases encompass all stages of the legislative process—ranging from pending and failed bills to those that have been vetoed, enacted, or adopted. By utilizing these resources, participants will gain a nuanced understanding of how legislation evolves, the factors influencing its trajectory, and the opportunities for intervention and advocacy at critical junctures.
Participants will learn to navigate NCSL’s databases effectively, analyze legislative trends, and identify key policymakers to engage with. We will equip participants with tools to track legislation, aiding them in their efforts to advocate for policies promoting health equity and community well-being.
