Plenary Panel: Community Organizing and HIA: A Partnership that Results in Reduced Health Disparities

OVERVIEW

Grassroots community organizations often have a large and engaged membership consisting of those who face health inequities. The organizations serve as a source of information and data, and work to mobilize members to influence decision makers. Community organizing groups seek broad participation, especially from marginalized communities, for two reasons. First, organizers believe that input from people with many experiences will lead to the creation and implementation of better policies. Second, they believe that participation and a sense of agency are valuable and lead to greater quality of life for those who have been previously left out.

This session will consider a partnership model of conducting HIAs that has community organizers collaborating equally with HIA researchers in decision making, research, and communications tasks. HIA practitioners bring research and writing skills to HIA practice, while community organizations can help HIA practitioners access the populations most affected by proposals, expand dissemination efforts, and increase the opportunity to impact decisions. Presenters will address why this model works to achieve the values of HIA: equity, democracy, sustainability, ethical use of evidence, and a holistic approach to health.

Moderator:

Jonathan Heller, Executive Director, Human Impact Partners

Presentations:

Eric Ares, Community Organizer, Communications Coordinator, Los Angeles Community Action Network

Jonathan Heller, Executive Director, Human Impact Partners

Phyllis Hill, Lead Organizer, ISAIAH

David Liners, Executive Director, WISDOM