Vibrant Health Equity Group, LLC.’s Post

Democracy and Public Health: Two Sides of the Same Coin? This week, I've been reflecting on the parallels between public health and the upcoming elections. Here's why they might seem like different worlds, but share some core values: Prevention is Key: Public health focuses on preventing illness, just like elections allow us to choose leaders who will shape policies impacting our collective well-being. Informed voting can help prevent harmful policies from taking hold. Equity Matters: Public health strives for health equity, ensuring everyone has access to resources. Similarly, fair and accessible elections ensure all voices are heard, promoting a healthy democracy. Data Drives Decisions: Public health professionals rely on data to guide interventions. Likewise, researching candidates' platforms and voting records helps us make informed choices. Community Engagement is Crucial: Public health thrives on collaboration. Elections, too, function best with high voter turnout and active participation from all community members. So, what's the call to action? Get informed! Research candidates' positions on issues that matter to you. Exercise your right to vote! It's your chance to be part of the preventative approach ill health for our society. Spread awareness! Encourage others to participate and make their voices heard. Healthy communities require both a healthy population and a healthy democracy, with healthy debate. Let's work together on both! #Elections #PublicHealth #CivicEngagement #Vote PS Yes, we share the same surname and look similar, because she's my Mum. :-) And a reminder that when you disagree with a politicians opinion, they are someones Mum, Dad, daughter, son, partner or friend and in most instances are doing something you wouldn't do and someone's got to do in a democracy. :-)

🗳 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐭! 🗳 Public health initiatives are directly shaped by the policies we vote for. From healthcare access to health equity and social determinants, political decisions have a profound impact on the well-being of our communities. In this week’s 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝑵𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓, we explore the critical connection between public health and political policy, and what’s at stake for key health issues as we head into the 2024 elections. Make sure your organization stays informed and engaged. 🔗 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞: https://lnkd.in/gWpY8a-5 #VoteForHealth #PublicHealthMatters #Elections2024 #HealthPolicy #MakeYourVoteCount #CommunityWellness #UmembaHealth

🌟 With the general election looming less than 3 weeks away, the NHS will undoubtedly take centre stage in the campaign. But what about social care? Many voices are clamouring for investment and reform to address the shortcomings of the social care system. As we approach 4 July and beyond, what do you think the impact on both health and social care will be? Do you think we’ve learnt from past elections to ensure everything is properly addressed in their agendas? We're eager to hear your thoughts and insights on this crucial issue. Share your perspectives in the comments below and let's engage in a meaningful discussion about the future of health and social care in our country. 🗳️💬 #GeneralElection #Healthcare #SocialCare #EnhancedHealthcare

How can elections be used to move health policy forward? An election is a rare moment for advocates. They have an opportunity to hold policymakers to account, pitch their case for change, and potentially get them to sign up to policies that they may implement. This is crucial, because those elected for a whole term can take a long-term view of investment, prioritising health as the pressing issue it is. With so many national and international elections taking place this year, it is a perfect time for advocates to speak up. There is a long road between talking to a candidate and witnessing policy change, and it is not always an easy one. But the rewards can be hugely valuable. What are the challenges and benefits of advocating in the political space, and how can we ensure that the time is invested wisely? Read our latest blog, written by Managing Director Ed Harding, and let us know below what you think are the best ways to engage with political candidates. https://lnkd.in/gGKdczd2

🇺🇸🗳️ **Celebrating Our Right to Vote and Its Impact on Healthcare** 🗳️🇺🇸 As we approach another election cycle, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible privilege we have to participate in the democratic process. Voting is not just a right; it’s a powerful tool for change and an opportunity to make our voices heard, especially within the healthcare community. Every vote matters, particularly when it comes to legislation that directly affects our healthcare system. Policies related to access to care, funding for public health initiatives, and the effectiveness of health programs can hinge on the outcomes of elections. By participating in the electoral process, we can advocate for the changes needed to ensure equitable and quality healthcare for all. Let’s commit to fully utilizing this opportunity. I encourage everyone to educate themselves about the candidates and initiatives on the ballot, especially those that will impact our health and well-being. Engage in conversations about healthcare issues and make a plan to vote. Inspire your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same! Remember, participation is key to a healthy democracy, and it can lead to a healthier future for our communities. Let's honor this privilege we have by being active, informed citizens. Your voice matters—make sure it’s heard! #VotingMatters #CivicEngagement #HealthcarePolicy #DemocracyInAction #MakeYourVoiceHeard

One of the best things healthcare policymakers can do to promote health equity is to advocate for voting rights. https://bit.ly/3T6I8Vt via Health Affairs #Healthcare #HealthPolicy

It’s simple: participate in democracy - register to vote AND VOTE

The intersection of #health and #politics — uncover how health issues swayed voters and shaped the election landscape. 🏥 Discover more on Medika Life: https://lnkd.in/ejfGCWYQ This story was authored by Drew Altman, President and Chief Executive Officer of KFF. Reprinted with permission. #HealthPolicy #ElectionInsights #Election2024 #Harris #Trump #PresidentialDebate #HealthInnovation #KFFHealthNews #KFF

𝐀 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲. 𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰. The 2024 elections will shape public health for years to come. From healthcare policies to funding allocations, your vote can drive change that leads to healthier, stronger communities. 💡 Stay informed, advocate for health equity, and make your vote count! #Elections2024 #PublicHealth #HealthPolicy #VoterEducation #HealthyCommunities

🎙️ GENERAL ELECTION 2024: Week two reflections 🎙️ The second full week of the campaign has seen the emergence of mental health and social care as issues. But the NHS debate continues to be bitty and neither of the main two parties have set out a comprehensive vision for the future. We expect these to come later in the week with the manifesto launches. 🆕 On mental health, the Conservatives re-announced its commitment to rolling out support teams to schools and to funding support hubs for young people. In their manifesto published today, the Lib Dems said they would establish mental health hubs for young people in every community. Labour has previously said it will recruit 8,500 more mental health support staff. 👵 🧓 The Lib Dems were the first party to break cover on social care. They have pledged to “introduce free personal care based on the model introduced by the Liberal Democrats in government in Scotland in 2002, so that provision is based on need, not ability to pay.” And they say they will “create a social care workforce plan”, something the NHS Confederation has called for in our manifesto. The issue of social care has often derailed election campaigns – remember Theresa May’s ‘dementia tax’ or Gordon Brown’s ‘death tax’? – so the Lib Dems’ focus on social care is welcome. However, I can’t see either of the two main parties following suit this week. 🎬 We’ve had two leader debates so far, but no one will be any the wiser on how the main parties would place the NHS on a more sustainable footing. Watching the debates, you realise how surface-level the public debate is going to be during the campaign. The formats clearly didn’t help and neither main party had adequate scrutiny of their health and care plans. ❌ Probably the biggest obfuscation of the campaign so far is that the main parties are not coming clean on their public spending plans from 2025. With the main parties tripping over each other to say they won’t increase tax, none of them are facing up to the reality of what that means for investment in public services, as Institute For Fiscal Studies has said. 🔜 Each main party will publish their manifestoes this week, with the Conservatives due out on Tuesday and Labour on Thursday. As mentioned above, the Lib Dems published theirs this morning. The main focus is on: introducing free personal care; giving everyone the right to see a GP within seven days, or within 24 hours if they urgently need to, with 8,000 more GPs recruited; guaranteeing access to an NHS dentist for everyone needing urgent and emergency care; establishing mental health hubs for young people in every community; and introducing a guarantee for 100% of patients to start treatment for cancer within 62 days from urgent referral. NHS Confederation will examine what all these proposals mean for health and care. Look out for more in the election hub on our website: https://lnkd.in/dZjM2KfJ #GeneralElection2024 #PoliticalUpdate #ElectionNews #UKPolitics