Having a say in political and economic decision-making by including people with lived experiences in those very decisions are some of the biggest opportunities for improving public health. A funding program led by DASH and CHCS lays the foundation for that approach. Silos of Power Despite living in an electoral democracy, most people in the United States have little influence over politics given how powerful interests tend to curtail the effects of general voting. As a notable ...

  The historical record shows that public health policies are the most effective way to address and prevent the kinds of population-wide health crises we are currently living through. But policies can only work if they bear the fingerprints of collaborating government bodies while also reflecting the needs and voices of people with lived experiences.   The Role of Public Policy Public policy can affect communities and public health in tangible ways. Namely, regulations buil...

Public health is a collective, political matter, which makes policy and funding the primary tools for health improvement. This simple recognition renders the Georgia Health Policy Center’s ARPA funding navigator an invaluable contribution to American public health.   Why Policy Matters Physical well-being is health. But health isn’t just about physical well-being. Housing, financial security, green spaces in your neighborhood, and many other factors play a crucial role in your over...

The DASH Framework describes the most important landmarks we need to consider within the landscape of data sharing as we work to improve the well-being of people and their communities. Our first landmark? Building trust with the community.   The DASH Framework Data can show how social and health factors are connected, so we may use that knowledge to inform policies and practices that contribute to better health and racial equity in the nation. However, organizations that engage in ...

    Collecting and sharing data to design measures that make people healthier sounds like a straightforward concept. Yet, anyone who’s ever set out to do this work knows that there are myriad complicated factors to consider along the way. Arguably, the most important among them is building trust with the community that the data-sharing work is meant to benefit.   Distrust in Technocracy American public health, and politics in general, represents a type of governance...