Tool: Equitable Policy Processes for Multisector Health Efforts

Public policy plays a powerful role in shaping how neighborhoods look and operate, as well as shaping places where residents can thrive. To create healthy places, the policymaking process is as important as the specific policies themselves. Building a shared future of community prosperity requires a collective responsibility to ensure that all people and communities are treated fairly.

The Equitable Policy Processes for Multisector Health Efforts tool, created by PHI’s Build Healthy Places Network, helps coalitions embed equity at every stage of the policymaking process—with actionable steps to share power, engage stakeholders and operationalize equity through public policy that helps create healthier, more equitable, and thriving communities.

Public policies have long prioritized the needs of white community members, devoting less attention and fewer resources to people of color. As a result, the most marginalized in our society lack basic services, critical infrastructure, and important opportunities to inform public policy priorities.

This tool is intended to support stakeholders who may be new to public policy and are interested in building capacity for equitable and sustainable policy solutions. The following steps can be embedded into local policy processes to design with intention, equity, healing, and health:

• Co-create an inclusive community process at all stages
• Leverage the power of partnerships
• Scan for policies to embed equity and new innovations
• Assess the potential impact of policies and reduce unintended consequences
• Test and continually adapt policy for sustained impact

Originally published by Building Healthy Places Network