Inter-organization collaboration: Factors affecting community health policy advocacy efforts aimed at addressing health inequities among youth

In the United States, youth of color and youth from lower socio-economic backgrounds experience poorer health statuses and health outcomes than their White and/or middle to upper income peers. Policy change is a strategy often called upon to address these health inequities. Increasingly, coalitions or inter-organizational collaborations (IOCs) of individuals and organizations are formed in order to bring about policy change. However, little is known about the factors that may influence an IOC's ability to effect policy change to impact the health and well-being of youth.

We conducted a qualitative study involving three IOCs working to change state and local institutional policies to improve the health of youth in Massachusetts. We used a multiple variation case selection strategy to sample coalitions with diverse characteristics. Data collection included a review of documents, focus groups, and interviews with adult and youth members to identify factors that may impact affect policy change and to examine the role of youth in this process.

We will present the results of this study, including the internal and external facilitating factors and challenges (e.g. leadership, decision making practices, available financial resources, economic environment) that contribute to an IOC's ability to influence policies that address issues salient to the health of youth. Additionally, we will discuss the ways in which youth have been engaged in this policy advocacy process. Finally, we will present recommendations for IOCs, youth-serving organizations, and policy makers aimed at increasing the effectiveness of IOCs to influence policies in order to achieve health equity.