Online Program

336697
Health in all Policies: A Multilevel Approach in Rhode Island from Legislation to the Development of a Diversified Community Health Workforce


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Dannie Ritchie, MD, MPH, Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Brown University, Providence, RI
Background: Rhode Island establish­ed the Commission of Heath Advocacy and Equity through the passage of law Rhode Island General Law (RIGL) 23-64.1 in June 2011. A health in all policies approach, it requires the engagement of a cross-section of state agencies, leaders and policy makers at all levels, as well as the public to focus on the social determinants of health for the wellbeing of the popula­tion. The law additionally directs the building of a diverse community health workforce to include community health workers (CHWs).

Objective: Health equity seeks equitable distribution of advantages across society for all to have the opportunity to fulfill their capabilities. RIGL 23-64.1 begins this work through assessing laws, regulations and governmental decisions to consider their impact on equity as well as diversify the health workforce. 

Methods: RIGL 23-64.1 requires the commission to create benchmarks and measurements for accountability on health disparities. A biennial report, requiring prior public input, is pres­ented to the Governor and the General Assembly on disparities impact. It also requires the development of a diversified community health workforce responsive to the social determinants of health.

 

Results: RIGL 23-64.1 mandates the government, legislative body and public engagement in the work of reducing health disparities as well as to build a diverse frontline public health workforce that attends to the social determinants of health.

 

Conclusions: RIGL 23-64.1 requires us to consider how policies shape the social determinants of health for greater accountability as well as build a diverse workforce including CHWs to increase equity.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe A State Health Equity law that focuses on social determinants of health and health disparities, which uses a health in all policies framework and engages the public as well as promote the development of a diverse community health workforce with the inclusion of Community Health Workers. Assess The health status of Rhode Island along with socially embedded conditions that affect health, What has been the effect of the law since its enactment in 2011 and what effect can be projected for the future. Identify New England and other states that have passed health equity laws. Compare the RI law with the health equity laws passed in other New England states. Evaluate the evidence for the promotion of passing laws to advance population health through a health in all policy approach and development a diverse workforce. Evaluation will include studies that highlight the importance of systematic assessment of social and economic policies for their health consequences. Discuss Lessons learned to promote and pass the law; how a health in all policies framework is a start to shift the conversation for recognition that social policy is health policy; the consideration of what more is needed to build public and political support that will focus and act on a community level to change how we approach health disparities. Action steps to further promote the nonmedical sectors and the community to be in partnerships with health care to decrease health disparities, achieve health equity, and improve population health.

Keyword(s): Policy/Policy Development, Health Disparities/Inequities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Through my research, policy and community work on health disparities and equity, I spearheaded the RI legislation to form a Commission on Health Advocacy, created a Social Determinants of Health, Law and Policy seminar series for Brown University’s Taubman Center on Public Policy which became a special section in the July 2013 Rhode Island Medical Journal. I am also the founder of Community Health Innovations of RI where I promote community driven decision making.
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.