Democracy and Philanthropy in These Times
What do attacks on trans rights have to do with voting rights for Black communities? How is birthright citizenship linked to the unfinished work of Reconstruction and equality under the law? And why are laws and practices protecting reproductive justice central to all of it? These aren’t just academic questions—they’re the battle lines of our…
Ballot Measures: Advancing Health Policy through Direct Democracy
The citizen-initiative process, also known as direct democracy, gives the people the power to directly propose and pass new laws or constitutional amendments (depending on the state) by putting them up for a vote at the statewide or local level. 25 U.S. states and the District of Columbia allow for citizen-initiated ballot measures, which have been used to advance a broad range of health policy goals, including reproductive rights, Medicaid expansion, gun safety reform, minimum wage increases, and paid leave. This webinar explored recent ballot initiative campaigns and highlight the roles of health funders in building community power through direct democracy. Speakers included Chris Melody Fields Figueredo of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, Becky Gould of Nebraska Appleseed, and Ashley Dietz of the Florida Philanthropic Network.
GIH Health Policy Exchange 2024
We discussed the election results’ impact on philanthropy’s work advancing better health for all, delved into critical policy issues that affect the country, and received updates from the Hill. Other topics explored by participants included opportunities for cross-sector collaboration in public health, updates on health policy at the state level, philanthropy and the Supreme Court, the changing landscape of women’s health, and philanthropy’s role in supporting systems change.
Civic Engagement Is a Social Determinant of Health
What is the civic health of the communities you serve? Are community members equitably engaged in democratic processes and civic life? How might increased levels of civic engagement influence the distribution of public sector resources, population health outcomes, and health inequities? Is it possible to imagine transformative changes in community health absent a meaningful shift in community power and civic participation?
GIH Bulletin: September 2021
The need to develop and implement a comprehensive integrated plan to address our health workforce grows stronger every day. As some communities experience their highest COVID-19 case rate since the start of the pandemic, with providers and public health workers stretched to the breaking point, we must also devote time and resources to ensure that we have a highly trained, diverse health care and public health workforce to meet our future health needs.
Public Private Partnerships to Strengthen the Public Health Infrastructure
How strong is your organization’s relationship with local health departments in the communities you serve? Do you view governmental public health as an essential partner? How can you best increase and improve support for state and local public health departments? What types of investments are most likely to yield transformative change? As the future of public health hangs in the balance, philanthropic organizations must renew their commitment to governmental public health agencies and reimagine strategies for strengthening these partnerships.
2021 Annual Conference Quick Take: Vot-ER: Vote like Your Health Depends On It!
Join this Quick Take to learn more about how Vot-ER can assist health care providers to strengthen the civic infrastructure in the communities you serve.
2021 Annual Conference Quick Take: Advancing Health and Equity with Ballot Measures: Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative
Listen to this Quick Take to hear more about decriminalization as an essential component to treating drug use as a health issue, the historic campaign that brought this policy to life, and the vision for what comes next.