In a recent article in the Daily Yonder, Edward Strickler Jr. — a member of the Ethics Section of the American Public Health Association and a retired programs coordinator for the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy at the University of Virginia — reviews ChangeLab Solutions’ resources for building healthier rural communities.
Strickler describes how the social determinants of health (SDOH) — including employment opportunities, housing, access to educational institutions, transportation, and internet connectivity — play a role in the health of people who live in rural areas. These “social determinants are powerfully influenced by law and policy at local, state, and federal levels.” The complexity of laws, regulations, and policies bars some communities from effectively discussing SDOH and achieving legal and policy change to improve quality of life and access to resources. Strickler offers, “Fortunately, a useful set of tools — aiming to improve deliberations about social determinants and rural communities’ health — was recently made available, free of charge, online.”
ChangeLab Solutions "has provided an excellent portfolio of tools for rural communities to use and adapt in ways that best suit local needs, values and priorities. As communities use these tools and provide feedback – including their own stories of success — the toolkit will only get stronger.”
9/19/2023