Building capacity for Health in All Policies in Los Angeles County

Engaging government agencies in a health in all policies initiative requires building trust between public health departments, planners, engineers, park designers and others to create the policies, practices and projects that can improve the public’s health. Los Angeles County created the interdepartmental Healthy Design Workgroup (Workgroup) in 2012, which brings together multiple departments to collaborate on built environment planning, policy, and project implementation. Started with direction from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Workgroup is now an integral part of how the County does business. In this presentation, we offer lessons learned from the Workgroup and provide insights into practical ways in which public health professionals can engage other government sectors in a health in all policies initiative. Launching the Workgroup included multiple rounds of meetings with staff from various County departments to develop a joint work plan.  Strategies used to engage departments included: (1) looking for areas of mutual interest between departments that deal with health, land use and transportation; (2) identifying department priorities with short term, achievable goals; and (3) allowing each party to take the lead in their area of expertise. Employing these strategies resulted in new or updated policies and procedures that will improve the health of residents. Through the Healthy Design Workgroup, departments have demonstrated willingness to participate in improving County policies, procedures and programs to improve health, and these lessons learned can inform the development of health in all policies work in other jurisdictions.