Building coalitions for strengthening public health and social measures during health emergencies

Download Building coalitions for strengthening public health and social measures during health emergencies PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : World Health Organization
ISBN 13 : 9240084436
Total Pages : 38 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (4 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Building coalitions for strengthening public health and social measures during health emergencies by : World Health Organization

Download or read book Building coalitions for strengthening public health and social measures during health emergencies written by World Health Organization and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2024-02-22 with total page 38 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In June 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened national public health stakeholders from 21 countries and WHO staff to establish a community of practice among public health stakeholders, with a specific focus on strengthening PHSM research and policies. This report provides an account of the discussions, outcomes and advice put forth during the meeting, highlighting the shared commitment to advancing PHSM research, decision-making and global monitoring of policies. At the meeting, national public health stakeholders shared case examples describing their experiences with PHSM implementation during health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Through case studies presented by representatives from each country, as well as the discussions that followed, several key factors were identified that facilitated successful PHSM responses, namely, the existence of legal mechanisms for emergency responses, multisectoral collaboration, multisectoral governance, surveillance and contact tracing, national research initiatives, international recommendations and evidence in the absence of robust local data and research, community engagement, and social protection measures to mitigate the unintended negative consequences of PHSM. In addition, participants discussed challenges they had experienced relating to PHSM implementation and reflected on the additional resources and capacities that could have supported more effective PHSM. The report details these experiences, discussions as well as a call to action for PHSM participants put forth, encouraging all countries to commit to taking actions to strengthen PHSM as an essential countermeasure for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response.

The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century

Download The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309133181
Total Pages : 536 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2003-02-01 with total page 536 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The anthrax incidents following the 9/11 terrorist attacks put the spotlight on the nation's public health agencies, placing it under an unprecedented scrutiny that added new dimensions to the complex issues considered in this report. The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century reaffirms the vision of Healthy People 2010, and outlines a systems approach to assuring the nation's health in practice, research, and policy. This approach focuses on joining the unique resources and perspectives of diverse sectors and entities and challenges these groups to work in a concerted, strategic way to promote and protect the public's health. Focusing on diverse partnerships as the framework for public health, the book discusses: The need for a shift from an individual to a population-based approach in practice, research, policy, and community engagement. The status of the governmental public health infrastructure and what needs to be improved, including its interface with the health care delivery system. The roles nongovernment actors, such as academia, business, local communities and the media can play in creating a healthy nation. Providing an accessible analysis, this book will be important to public health policy-makers and practitioners, business and community leaders, health advocates, educators and journalists.

Evidence-Based Practice for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

Download Evidence-Based Practice for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309670381
Total Pages : 501 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (96 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Evidence-Based Practice for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book Evidence-Based Practice for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2020-11-28 with total page 501 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When communities face complex public health emergencies, state local, tribal, and territorial public health agencies must make difficult decisions regarding how to effectively respond. The public health emergency preparedness and response (PHEPR) system, with its multifaceted mission to prevent, protect against, quickly respond to, and recover from public health emergencies, is inherently complex and encompasses policies, organizations, and programs. Since the events of September 11, 2001, the United States has invested billions of dollars and immeasurable amounts of human capital to develop and enhance public health emergency preparedness and infrastructure to respond to a wide range of public health threats, including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear events. Despite the investments in research and the growing body of empirical literature on a range of preparedness and response capabilities and functions, there has been no national-level, comprehensive review and grading of evidence for public health emergency preparedness and response practices comparable to those utilized in medicine and other public health fields. Evidence-Based Practice for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response reviews the state of the evidence on PHEPR practices and the improvements necessary to move the field forward and to strengthen the PHEPR system. This publication evaluates PHEPR evidence to understand the balance of benefits and harms of PHEPR practices, with a focus on four main areas of PHEPR: engagement with and training of community-based partners to improve the outcomes of at-risk populations after public health emergencies; activation of a public health emergency operations center; communication of public health alerts and guidance to technical audiences during a public health emergency; and implementation of quarantine to reduce the spread of contagious illness.

Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters

Download Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309316227
Total Pages : 532 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (93 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2015-09-10 with total page 532 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the devastation that follows a major disaster, there is a need for multiple sectors to unite and devote new resources to support the rebuilding of infrastructure, the provision of health and social services, the restoration of care delivery systems, and other critical recovery needs. In some cases, billions of dollars from public, private and charitable sources are invested to help communities recover. National rhetoric often characterizes these efforts as a "return to normal." But for many American communities, pre-disaster conditions are far from optimal. Large segments of the U.S. population suffer from preventable health problems, experience inequitable access to services, and rely on overburdened health systems. A return to pre-event conditions in such cases may be short-sighted given the high costs - both economic and social - of poor health. Instead, it is important to understand that the disaster recovery process offers a series of unique and valuable opportunities to improve on the status quo. Capitalizing on these opportunities can advance the long-term health, resilience, and sustainability of communities - thereby better preparing them for future challenges. Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters identifies and recommends recovery practices and novel programs most likely to impact overall community public health and contribute to resiliency for future incidents. This book makes the case that disaster recovery should be guided by a healthy community vision, where health considerations are integrated into all aspects of recovery planning before and after a disaster, and funding streams are leveraged in a coordinated manner and applied to health improvement priorities in order to meet human recovery needs and create healthy built and natural environments. The conceptual framework presented in Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters lays the groundwork to achieve this goal and provides operational guidance for multiple sectors involved in community planning and disaster recovery. Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters calls for actions at multiple levels to facilitate recovery strategies that optimize community health. With a shared healthy community vision, strategic planning that prioritizes health, and coordinated implementation, disaster recovery can result in a communities that are healthier, more livable places for current and future generations to grow and thrive - communities that are better prepared for future adversities.

Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response

Download Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : World Health Organization
ISBN 13 : 9241547685
Total Pages : 62 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (415 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response by : World Health Organization

Download or read book Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response written by World Health Organization and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2009 with total page 62 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This guidance is an update of WHO global influenza preparedness plan: the role of WHO and recommendations for national measures before and during pandemics, published March 2005 (WHO/CDS/CSR/GIP/2005.5).

WHO global technical consultation on public health and social measures during health emergencies

Download WHO global technical consultation on public health and social measures during health emergencies PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : World Health Organization
ISBN 13 : 9240097082
Total Pages : 43 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (4 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis WHO global technical consultation on public health and social measures during health emergencies by : World Health Organization

Download or read book WHO global technical consultation on public health and social measures during health emergencies written by World Health Organization and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2024-09-19 with total page 43 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The World Health Organization (WHO) held its second global technical consultation on public health and social measures (PHSM) during health emergencies from 21 to 23 November 2023 to accelerate the use of PHSM as essential countermeasures for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention. The meeting brought together 87 experts from various sectors in more than 30 countries, representing Member States and academia, as well as civil society and international organizations. During the consultation, experts identified critical initial actions to be taken by decision-makers, researchers and communities to facilitate a timely, equitable and context-specific PHSM response to outbreaks of infectious diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential. The resulting compendium encompasses critical initial actions on PHSM for viruses carried by the Aedes mosquito, zoonotic spillover, and novel respiratory viruses with pandemic potential. Experts noted the urgency to advance the more systematic integration of PHSM into existing emergency preparedness and response frameworks. The strategic positioning of PHSM as critical countermeasures alongside vaccines, therapeutics and other medical countermeasures will increase the recognition of their complementary roles in the fight against epidemics and pandemics. The conclusions of the consultation underscore the need for maintaining political and strategic focus on PHSM to maximize their full potential in saving lives and protecting the livelihoods of affected communities during future health emergencies.

The Future of Public Health

Download The Future of Public Health PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309581907
Total Pages : 240 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (95 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Future of Public Health by : Committee for the Study of the Future of Public Health

Download or read book The Future of Public Health written by Committee for the Study of the Future of Public Health and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1988-01-15 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The Nation has lost sight of its public health goals and has allowed the system of public health to fall into 'disarray'," from The Future of Public Health. This startling book contains proposals for ensuring that public health service programs are efficient and effective enough to deal not only with the topics of today, but also with those of tomorrow. In addition, the authors make recommendations for core functions in public health assessment, policy development, and service assurances, and identify the level of government--federal, state, and local--at which these functions would best be handled.

Global Health and the Future Role of the United States

Download Global Health and the Future Role of the United States PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309457637
Total Pages : 385 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (94 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Global Health and the Future Role of the United States by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book Global Health and the Future Role of the United States written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2017-10-05 with total page 385 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While much progress has been made on achieving the Millenium Development Goals over the last decade, the number and complexity of global health challenges has persisted. Growing forces for globalization have increased the interconnectedness of the world and our interdependency on other countries, economies, and cultures. Monumental growth in international travel and trade have brought improved access to goods and services for many, but also carry ongoing and ever-present threats of zoonotic spillover and infectious disease outbreaks that threaten all. Global Health and the Future Role of the United States identifies global health priorities in light of current and emerging world threats. This report assesses the current global health landscape and how challenges, actions, and players have evolved over the last decade across a wide range of issues, and provides recommendations on how to increase responsiveness, coordination, and efficiency â€" both within the U.S. government and across the global health field.

The Future of Nursing 2020-2030

Download The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9780309685061
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (85 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 by : National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine

Download or read book The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 written by National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine and published by . This book was released on 2021-09-30 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The decade ahead will test the nation's nearly 4 million nurses in new and complex ways. Nurses live and work at the intersection of health, education, and communities. Nurses work in a wide array of settings and practice at a range of professional levels. They are often the first and most frequent line of contact with people of all backgrounds and experiences seeking care and they represent the largest of the health care professions. A nation cannot fully thrive until everyone - no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they make - can live their healthiest possible life, and helping people live their healthiest life is and has always been the essential role of nurses. Nurses have a critical role to play in achieving the goal of health equity, but they need robust education, supportive work environments, and autonomy. Accordingly, at the request of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, on behalf of the National Academy of Medicine, an ad hoc committee under the auspices of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conducted a study aimed at envisioning and charting a path forward for the nursing profession to help reduce inequities in people's ability to achieve their full health potential. The ultimate goal is the achievement of health equity in the United States built on strengthened nursing capacity and expertise. By leveraging these attributes, nursing will help to create and contribute comprehensively to equitable public health and health care systems that are designed to work for everyone. The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity explores how nurses can work to reduce health disparities and promote equity, while keeping costs at bay, utilizing technology, and maintaining patient and family-focused care into 2030. This work builds on the foundation set out by The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2011) report.

Healthy lives, healthy people

Download Healthy lives, healthy people PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : The Stationery Office
ISBN 13 : 9780101798525
Total Pages : 104 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (985 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Healthy lives, healthy people by : Great Britain: Department of Health

Download or read book Healthy lives, healthy people written by Great Britain: Department of Health and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-11-30 with total page 104 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Government recognises that many lifestyle-driven health problems are at alarming levels: obesity; high rates of sexually transmitted infections; a relatively large population of drug users; rising levels of harm from alcohol; 80,000 deaths a year from smoking; poor mental health; health inequalities between rich and poor. This white paper outlines the Government's proposals to protect the population from serious health threats; help people live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives; and improve the health of the poorest. It aims to empower individuals to make healthy choices and give communities and local government the freedom, responsibility and funding to innovate and develop ways of improving public health in their area. The paper responds to Sir Michael Marmot's strategic review of health inequalities in England post 2010 - "Fair society, healthy lives" (available at http://www.marmotreview.org/AssetLibrary/pdfs/Reports/FairSocietyHealthyLives.pdf) and adopts its life course framework for tackling the wider social determinants of health. A new dedicated public health service - Public Health England - will be created to ensure excellence, expertise and responsiveness, particularly on health protection where a national response is vital. The paper gives a timetable showing how the proposals will be implemented and an annex sets out a vision of the role of the Director of Public Health. The Department is also publishing a fuller story on the health of England in "Our health and wellbeing today" (http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@ps/documents/digitalasset/dh_122238.pdf), detailing the challenges and opportunities, and in 2011 will issue documents on major public health issues.

Reducing the Burden of Injury

Download Reducing the Burden of Injury PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 030917354X
Total Pages : 335 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Reducing the Burden of Injury by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Reducing the Burden of Injury written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1998-12-21 with total page 335 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among people under age 35 in the United States. Despite great strides in injury prevention over the decades, injuries result in 150,000 deaths, 2.6 million hospitalizations, and 36 million visits to the emergency room each year. Reducing the Burden of Injury describes the cost and magnitude of the injury problem in America and looks critically at the current response by the public and private sectors, including: Data and surveillance needs. Research priorities. Trauma care systems development. Infrastructure support, including training for injury professionals. Firearm safety. Coordination among federal agencies. The authors define the field of injury and establish boundaries for the field regarding intentional injuries. This book highlights the crosscutting nature of the injury field, identifies opportunities to leverage resources and expertise of the numerous parties involved, and discusses issues regarding leadership at the federal level.

Improving Pandemic Preparedness

Download Improving Pandemic Preparedness PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Council on Foreign Relations Press
ISBN 13 : 9780876092644
Total Pages : 154 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (926 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Improving Pandemic Preparedness by : Thomas Bollyky

Download or read book Improving Pandemic Preparedness written by Thomas Bollyky and published by Council on Foreign Relations Press. This book was released on 2020-10-08 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The United States and the world were unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, despite decades of warnings highlighting the inevitability of global pandemics and the need for international coordination. The failure to prioritize and adequately fund preparedness and effectively implement response plans has exacted a heavy human and economic price, and the crisis is not yet over. Emerging and reemerging infectious diseases are a threat to global and national security that neither the United States nor the world can afford to ignore. This Task Force proposes a comprehensive strategy that includes institutional reforms and policy innovations to help the United States and the multilateral system perform better in this crisis and when the next one emerges. Without increased U.S. leadership on and adequate investment in pandemic preparedness and response, the United States and the world will remain unnecessarily vulnerable to epidemic threats. The Council on Foreign Relations sponsors Independent Task Forces to assess issues of current and critical importance to U.S. foreign policy and provide policymakers with concrete judgments and recommendations. Diverse in backgrounds and perspectives, Task Force members aim to reach a meaningful consensus on policy through private deliberations. Once launched, Task Forces are independent of CFR and are solely responsible for the content of their reports. Task Force members are asked to join a consensus signifying that they endorse the general policy thrust and judgments reached by the group, though not necessarily every finding and recommendation. Each Task Force member also has the option of putting forward an additional or a dissenting view.

Ten years in public health 2007-2017

Download Ten years in public health 2007-2017 PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : World Health Organization
ISBN 13 : 924151244X
Total Pages : 152 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (415 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Ten years in public health 2007-2017 by : Margaret Chan

Download or read book Ten years in public health 2007-2017 written by Margaret Chan and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2018-04-27 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ten years in public health 2007-2017 chronicles the evolution of global public health over the decade that Margaret Chan served as Director-General at the World Health Organization. This series of chapters evaluates successes setbacks and enduring challenges during the decade. They show what needs to be done when progress stalls or new threats emerge. The chapters show how WHO technical leadership can get multiple partners working together in tandem under coherent strategies. The importance of country leadership and community engagement is stressed repeatedly throughout the chapters. Together we have made tremendous progress. Health and life expectancy have improved nearly everywhere. Millions of lives have been saved. The number of people dying from malaria and HIV has been cut in half. WHO efforts to stop TB saved 49 million lives since the start of this century. In 2015 the number of child deaths dropped below 6 million for the first time a 50% decrease in annual deaths since 1990. Every day 19 000 fewer children die. We are able to count these numbers because of the culture of measurement and accountability instilled in WHO. These chapters tell a powerful story of global challenges and how they have been overcome. In a world facing considerable uncertainty international health development is a unifying – and uplifting – force for the good of humanity.

Natural Disasters

Download Natural Disasters PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Pan American Health Org
ISBN 13 : 9275115753
Total Pages : 130 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (751 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Natural Disasters by : Pan American Health Organization

Download or read book Natural Disasters written by Pan American Health Organization and published by Pan American Health Org. This book was released on 2000 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Includes statistics.

Homelessness, Health, and Human Needs

Download Homelessness, Health, and Human Needs PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309038324
Total Pages : 257 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (9 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Homelessness, Health, and Human Needs by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Homelessness, Health, and Human Needs written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1988-02-01 with total page 257 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There have always been homeless people in the United States, but their plight has only recently stirred widespread public reaction and concern. Part of this new recognition stems from the problem's prevalence: the number of homeless individuals, while hard to pin down exactly, is rising. In light of this, Congress asked the Institute of Medicine to find out whether existing health care programs were ignoring the homeless or delivering care to them inefficiently. This book is the report prepared by a committee of experts who examined these problems through visits to city slums and impoverished rural areas, and through an analysis of papers written by leading scholars in the field.

Crisis Standards of Care

Download Crisis Standards of Care PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309285526
Total Pages : 217 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (92 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Crisis Standards of Care by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Crisis Standards of Care written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2013-10-27 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Disasters and public health emergencies can stress health care systems to the breaking point and disrupt delivery of vital medical services. During such crises, hospitals and long-term care facilities may be without power; trained staff, ambulances, medical supplies and beds could be in short supply; and alternate care facilities may need to be used. Planning for these situations is necessary to provide the best possible health care during a crisis and, if needed, equitably allocate scarce resources. Crisis Standards of Care: A Toolkit for Indicators and Triggers examines indicators and triggers that guide the implementation of crisis standards of care and provides a discussion toolkit to help stakeholders establish indicators and triggers for their own communities. Together, indicators and triggers help guide operational decision making about providing care during public health and medical emergencies and disasters. Indicators and triggers represent the information and actions taken at specific thresholds that guide incident recognition, response, and recovery. This report discusses indicators and triggers for both a slow onset scenario, such as pandemic influenza, and a no-notice scenario, such as an earthquake. Crisis Standards of Care features discussion toolkits customized to help various stakeholders develop indicators and triggers for their own organizations, agencies, and jurisdictions. The toolkit contains scenarios, key questions, and examples of indicators, triggers, and tactics to help promote discussion. In addition to common elements designed to facilitate integrated planning, the toolkit contains chapters specifically customized for emergency management, public health, emergency medical services, hospital and acute care, and out-of-hospital care.

Communities in Action

Download Communities in Action PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309452961
Total Pages : 583 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (94 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Communities in Action by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book Communities in Action written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2017-04-27 with total page 583 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the United States, some populations suffer from far greater disparities in health than others. Those disparities are caused not only by fundamental differences in health status across segments of the population, but also because of inequities in factors that impact health status, so-called determinants of health. Only part of an individual's health status depends on his or her behavior and choice; community-wide problems like poverty, unemployment, poor education, inadequate housing, poor public transportation, interpersonal violence, and decaying neighborhoods also contribute to health inequities, as well as the historic and ongoing interplay of structures, policies, and norms that shape lives. When these factors are not optimal in a community, it does not mean they are intractable: such inequities can be mitigated by social policies that can shape health in powerful ways. Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity seeks to delineate the causes of and the solutions to health inequities in the United States. This report focuses on what communities can do to promote health equity, what actions are needed by the many and varied stakeholders that are part of communities or support them, as well as the root causes and structural barriers that need to be overcome.