239919 Commission to Build a Healthier America: Recommendations and policy implications

Monday, October 31, 2011: 8:30 AM

Brenda Henry, PhD, MPH , Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Princeton, NJ
In 2008, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) brought together the Commission to Build a Healthier America. The Commission was a national, independent, non-partisan group of leaders that came together to examine the many factors outside of medical care that influence health. The Commission researched and reviewed evidence, collected new data and listened to experts, leaders and citizens around the country. Through this work, the Commission came to the conclusion that where we live, learn, work and play has a greater impact on how long and well we live than medical care; that a person's health is greatly influenced by powerful social factors such as education, income, housing and neighborhoods. After a yearlong review, the Commission issued a report that outlined ten recommendations - practical, feasible and effective solutions often hidden in plain sight - to improve health at the local, state and federal levels. Recommendations included ensuring all children have high-quality early developmental support, becoming a smoke-free nation, and integrating safety and wellness into every aspect of community life. This session will provide an overview of the Commission's work, specifically highlighting the recommendations and policy implications, and how RWJF is leveraging the Commission's work through ongoing programming efforts.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines

Learning Objectives:
List at least two of the Commission's recommendations Describe the recommendations in the context of community health and policy development Describe how the foundation is leveraging the Commission's recommendations through ongoing programming

Keywords: Community Health, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the research and evaluation officer responsible for the project discussed in this abstract and have considerable experience in this area.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.