Improving Community Health Through Local Policy Change

This is a previous offering, to view the recording, please click the button below.

View Recording

Presented by the Community Health Training Institute

Topics: A review of approaches to advocacy; moving from programs to policy and systems change; and examples of communities that have changed policies to improve public health.

Presenter: DJ Wilson (MMA)

Description: To make a lasting impact, effective community health work is transitioning from a program approach to policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change. This webinar will explore the what, why, and how of PSEs through local examples from across Massachusetts. Presenters will provide a brief overview of PSEs and the difference between programs and systems change. Examples from the field include smoke-free housing, healthy food access, and town planning for the built environment.

Audience: Coalition leaders and partners; community health advocates working on municipal and state level to create healthier communities.

Learning Objectives: Participants completing this webinar will be able to:

1.  Define PSE change.
2.  Describe local PSE change examples.
3.  Identify key components and strategies to incorporate PSEs in their own community initiatives

MA DPH Coalition Criteria Addressed:

• Shared vision including a focus on reducing health disparities and promoting health equity
• Participation from key stakeholders (individuals and organizations that have a vested stake or interest in a program or policy initiative, e.g. it will impact them directly)
•  Effective utilization of data to inform goal and activity selection, implementation, and evaluation
• Consistency with MA DPH‚Äôs goals and priorities