Let's Get Together: Putting Together the Building Blocks of a Strong Health In All Policies Initiative

Social and environmental factors like education, employment, transportation, housing, food access, air and water quality have a profound impact on health outcomes, such as whether or not an individual eats the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables or partakes in regular physical activity. A growing understanding of these social determinants of health has led to a call for public policy that can shape the social environment in ways that are more conducive to health. However, such policies are typically developed and implemented by agencies other than health departments, including planning, transportation, social services, school boards, economic development, fire, police, sanitation and public works departments.

As non-traditional health sectors often do not systematically consider health in their policy development and implementation processes, communities across the country are exploring different approaches to institutionalizing a formalized" health in all policies" (HiAP) approach. For example, some local governments such have adopted HiAP ordinances or executive orders. Other communities have adopted healthy resolutions to encourage cross-collaboration and a systematic approach to incorporating health into all government activities. Some communites have even leveraged their community health needs assessments to establish a health in all policies office.

This interactive conference session will introduce participants to the building blocks of a strong HiAP initiative, help participants identify the different opportunities that may arise to advance a formalized HiAP approach, and introduce participants to the elements of a strong local health in all policies ordinance. The session will consist of a combination of presentations and small group activities.