Those steeped in public health practice are familiar with the term social determinants of health — safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods; racism, discrimination, and violence; education, job opportunities and income, access to nutritious foods and physical activities —which affect people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. These conditions are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources.

Because of the direct impact that law has on addressing the underlying social and economic causes of injury and disease, it is important for public health practitioners to understand how law and policy are distinctly connected to the social determinants of health and health equity. Yet most public health practitioners did not go to law school or receive any formal public health training. This presentation explores concrete resources and opportunities that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ChangeLab Solutions have developed for schools of public health, students, health departments, and other public health organizations to build the capacity of current and future public health practitioners in understanding the important role of law and policy in addressing health equity.