Using Unnatural Causes and other tools to build a movement: Presentation and guided dialog

Public policy change is critical to achieving health equity, but social movements that pressure government and other key actors are a precondition to the adoption of policies that advance equity and justice. How can we as public health practitioners help build a compelling movement for health equity?

Unnatural Causes has emerged as an effective tool for this movement. Advocates are convening screenings, forums, town meetings, and trainings around the country. They are assisted by the series companion Web Site, Discussion Guides, Neighborhood Health Justice Report Cards, Community Action Tool-Kit and other tools, all geared towards pushing the health dialog “upstream” and building this movement.

Using a guided dialog, participants will be introduced to the support tools and begin to identify opportunities where they can use the series to educate, organize or advocate. We will discuss the distinctions between these three uses, review case studies, and begin a planning process that can yield successful events, including how to identify possibilities within and outside the health community, contextualize screenings, conduct follow-up discussions, and determine appropriate next steps.