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Issues Network

Public Policy Strategies

Many funders view public policy engagement as an essential part of ensuring sustainable improvements in population health. As a result, health philanthropy plays a vital and unique role in the public policy process. GIH works to build understanding between health grantmakers and policymakers, and supports grantmakers in their efforts to fund policy-relevant projects. Our work includes communicating with health grantmakers about the relevance of public policy to their work; providing opportunities for grantmakers to learn more about specific health policy issues; providing training and technical assistance to grantmakers; connecting grantmakers with strong interests in health policy; raising policymakers’ awareness of the work of health philanthropy; and building relationships with government agencies.

What's New
  • Colorado Health Foundation Speaks Out on Sequestration
    May 2013
    Bob Mook, editorial manager of the Colorado Health Foundation, explores the impact of automatic federal budget cuts on Colorado's health system and highlights significant negative consequences for a variety of public programs, including Vaccines for Children, public health preparedness and response, substance abuse treatment, Community Health Centers, and nutrition programs for seniors.
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  • Social Media as an Advocacy Tool
    May 2013
    The Alliance for Justice highlights several new resources for using social media as an advocacy tool.
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  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Funds New Advocacy Campaign to Reduce Tobacco Use
    April 2013
    The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids have announced an ambitious, three-year collaboration to accelerate progress in reducing tobacco use, the nation’s leading cause of preventable death. RWJF has made an $8 million grant to Tobacco-Free Kids to support advocacy focused on changing local, state, and federal policies to prevent kids from smoking, help smokers quit, and protect all Americans from secondhand smoke. The American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association will each provide an additional $1 million to support state and local efforts to reduce tobacco use.
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Publications of Interest
  • Gun Control: A Health Policy Issue?
    May 2013
    Although the health-related consequences of gun violence are undeniable, the need for stronger gun control policies to address these health outcomes is hotly contested. Is the field of health philanthropy particularly “gun shy” about engaging in the contentious policy debate surrounding gun control?
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  • Health Advocacy: Yes, No, or Maybe So?
    August 2012
    Although engagement in public policy is viewed as a mission-critical strategy by an increasing number of health funders, many foundations are still considering whether and how they should support health advocacy efforts.
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  • Public Policy Engagement During an Election Year
    February 2012
    Political elections create both challenges and opportunities for foundations seeking to inform and influence the public policy process. Philanthropic organizations have broad latitude to conduct or sponsor a variety of policyrelated activities, and this flexibility includes the ability to promote civic engagement and encourage informed participation in democratic elections.
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