Introduction to Environmental Health and Policy

In this briefing, experts overviewed what comprises the field of environmental health and its corresponding policy, outlined the major players at the state and federal level, and highlighted immediate policy opportunities. Panelists also discussed how health disparities and inequities are tied to environmental factors and offered thoughts on how to close policy gaps. 

Improving Health Care for People Experiencing Homelessness

In this briefing, experts overviewed the specific health and access challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness. Panelists also offered insights on how to deliver effective health care to this population, with a specific focus on barriers to access and potential policy strategies to alleviate these barriers.

Health Equity Summit

The Health Equity Summit, a program of the Alliance for Health Policy’s 2021 Signature Series, reflected upon lessons learned and look at policies and practices that perpetuate existing inequities in our society. Exploring a multitude of factors both current and historical, this Summit addressed the tradeoffs between inaction and intervention, as well as tangible policy options to start advancing health equity now.

COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence in Geographic Areas of Need

This briefing discussed the results of the latest African American Research Collaborative (AARC) survey regarding COVID-19 vaccines, their importance, and explored potential strategies to increase vaccination rates, particularly ones tailored to different populations. 

Addressing the Drivers of Maternal Mortality

This briefing identified policies to prevent pregnancy-related deaths and address the forces resulting in the disproportionate maternal health outcomes. Panelists discussed policy options that support interventions among providers and public health entities to address the clinical and social drivers of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity.

Our 2018 Speakers

Summit on Aging in America

During this summit, panelists explored how we can reframe the conversation around aging in America and discussed opportunities to improve health outcomes for older adults. Speakers discussed innovative payment models and approaches to integrating non-medical needs into those models as well as upcoming policy and regulatory priorities.

Investing in a Healthier America: The Role of Social Determinants

This briefing examined the challenges of aligning or combining public funding sources to achieve better health outcomes, how analysts can prove value in such ventures, and the role of health care professionals in caring for patients who have both medical and non-medical needs.

The Connection between Health and Housing: The Evidence and Policy Landscape

Evidence is growing that housing, a social determinant of health, is an important factor in the health status of various populations. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), more than 610,000 people experience homelessness in the U.S., and over 250,000 individuals within that population have a severe mental illness or a chronic substance use disorder. A new Alliance toolkit, “The Connection between Health and Housing: The Evidence and Policy Landscape,” provides a detailed look into federal, state and local initiatives, as well as cost implications for health and housing programs.

The Intersection of Health and Housing: Opportunities and Challenges

This briefing, the first in a three-part series exploring the intersection of health and social policy, focused on Medicaid and housing policy. What does evidence say about the relationship between stable housing and health outcomes for various populations? What financial impact can housing have on Medicaid costs, and what potential role can Medicaid play regarding housing policy? What funding sources are state and local officials currently leveraging to provide housing resources? Are there barriers to innovative health and housing approaches?

Health Care Behind Bars: A Key to Population Health?

This briefing explored innovations and challenges in delivering health care to a growing population of inmates, and also the prospect of health care in the correctional setting as a key to improving population health. This is an expensive group because of the large number of people with mental illness, addiction disorders, conditions associated with aging and Hepatitis C. Indeed, corrections spending is the second fastest-growing state expenditure, behind Medicaid, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Children’s Health Coverage: What You Need To Know

Approximately 8 million children with low to moderate incomes are covered under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and 39 million children are covered under Medicaid. (Most children who have coverage have private coverage). The number of uninsured children has decreased by half since the enactment of CHIP in 1997; however, with a new coverage landscape and CHIP funding set to expire in October 2015, questions arise about the current state and future of children’s health care coverage.

Chronic Disease Prevention: Saving Lives, Saving Money

With a continued focus on the need to control the high and rising cost of care, Congress is looking for low cost, high yield policy solutions. Chronic illnesses are among the biggest drivers of growing health care costs, and a drain on worker productivity in our nation. For example, researchers note that per person health care spending for obese adults is 56 percent higher than for normal-weight adults. Diabetes and other chronic illnesses can be prevented or greatly delayed with solutions beyond or outside of medical care. Many fall into the category of health-related behaviors, such as whether we smoke, get exercise, eat a healthy diet– factors that are newly falling into the spheres of public health or population health.