CDC's Healthy Communities Program: Mobilizing National Networks to Enhance State and Local Implementation of Policy Strategies

Collaboration with national partners is a hallmark of CDC's strategy to promote the implementation and sustainability of policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes. CDC's Healthy Communities Program accomplishes this by providing technical assistance, training, and consultation to national networks, comprised of national, state, and local entities in an effort to build their capacity to promote and disseminate population-based strategies that are science-based, reach diverse population groups, and focus on social determinants of health to prevent chronic diseases. These collaborative networks require engagement of diverse stakeholders and leaders from public, private, and non-profit settings. Equally as critical is ensuring representation from various sectors, such as schools, work sites, health care, community-based institutions and the community-at-large. These partnerships facilitate development of PSE change strategies that promote physical activity and nutrition; reduce tobacco use and exposure; improve and increase access to quality care; and help eliminate racial, ethnic and socio-economic health disparities. Collaborative networks increase community interest in creating change, thereby supporting strategic action to prevent chronic diseases and promote health. These diverse and multi-level networks also provide the momentum to develop social and environmental policy agendas and facilitate the integration of chronic disease policies across national, state and local programs. This session will describe the Healthy Communities Program's national networks established to (1) foster national, state, and local relationships; (2) magnify the public health impact of collaboration through strategic partnerships, (3) strengthen the capacity of national, state, and local organizations to implement PSE strategies, and (4) attract new partners to transform health