Webinar: Engaging policymakers for healthier communities

Policymakers and those in public health and health care can work together to create conditions for everyone to be healthy. In this webinar, we explored when and how to engage local policymakers about decisions that impact health. Participants learned about how to engage policymakers effectively while increasing their understanding of the opportunities and constraints associated with lobbying rules. Dr. Keshia Pollack Porter, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, explained why it is critical for public health advocates to help shape policy. She also provided strategies for talking with policymakers. The National Association of Counties legislative director for health, Blaire Bryant, described how health departments can build power to inform funding proposals and policy agendas.