ChangeLab Solutions

Good Governance: Laws and policies are powerful tools for making our communities healthier and more equitable. A good governance process is inclusive, transparent, and effective, and fosters a clear understanding of policy landscapes, local resources, and potential partnerships. Our resources explain the essentials of public health law and policy that can help create meaningful, lasting change in your community.

Children & Families: Creating healthy, safe, and resilience-promoting opportunities for children and families is vital to improve community health. We develop strategies and tools to inform policymakers and communities about policies and programs that support children and families - including supports for children's mental health and resources to help navigate and access supplemental security income. We also work to strengthen family-supportive systems and employment opportunities by focusing on access to paid sick leave and equitable enforcement of worker protections.

Healthy Neighborhoods: Evidence shows that where people live plays a key role in their health. Housing, workplaces, street design, and transportation all influence prominent health factors such as safety, physical activity, access to healthy food, community engagement, and affordable living. We provide planning tools that connect the dots between neighborhood resources and help communities achieve their policy goals.

Tobacco Prevention: Limiting access to tobacco products is the first step in preventing tobacco-related diseases. Effective strategies include eliminating the sale of tobacco products to minors, regulating electronic cigarettes, increasing enforcement of existing laws, and reducing exposure to secondhand smoke. We offer a wide range of resources to help communities tailor and implement policy options to regulate tobacco.

Food & Beverages: A healthy diet is key to maintaining good health. Well-designed food systems positively shape the health, environmental, social, and economic outcomes of neighborhoods and communities. We work on a variety of policy strategies that advance health equity through each component of the food system and help ensure access to healthy, affordable foods and beverages.

Health Care: Health care systems and hospitals have opportunities to get involved in community public health initiatives. Partnering with advocates and local agencies, providing healthier foods and beverages, and leveraging community benefits allocations from hospitals can help keep people healthy and out of emergency rooms. Our resources can help health care organizations and hospitals work towards community-based prevention of health problems.

During 2022-2023, we engaged and provided capacity building and training to more than 26,000 individuals and over 2,800 organizations in more than 2,300 communities across all fifty states and the District of Columbia. We also developed 52 products to further support communities to advance health equity.