How do I get started with Health in All Policies? Lessons learned from California

Health in All Policies (HiAP) is a collaborative approach to improve health by incorporating health considerations into the decision-making processes of non-health sectors and policy areas, in order to promote community health across the lifespan. The HiAP approach is based on the idea that non-health government agencies, at all levels, have an impact on health and health equity outcomes. California's interagency HiAP Task Force brings together eighteen state agencies (e.g., education, transportation, social services, criminal justice) to implement policies and programs to create healthier and more sustainable communities. Facilitated by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Task Force is working to implement action plans spanning the policy areas of community safety through violence prevention; active transportation; healthy food; housing and indoor spaces; parks, urban greening, and places to be active; and healthy public policy. HiAP staff will share their expertise, lessons learned, best practices, and tools that public health professionals can use in their efforts to establish collaborations addressing the social determinants of health. This presentation will be based on the findings of a Spring 2012 process evaluation of the California HiAP Task Force. With a focus on how to get started on intersectoral collaboration, the presentation will address 1) how to identify necessary partners, 2) messaging to promote cross-sectoral approaches to public health, 3) building collaborative relationships, and 4) identifying value-added opportunities during a time of constrained resources. Presenters will provide attendees with resources from a HiAP toolkit developed by CDPH.