Why Policy Matters
Policies determine our quality of life. They are the agreements, the codes that shape every aspect of our lives. Policies at the local level play a particularly important role because it is there that health advocates are better able to mobilize and win effective and innovative laws to support healthy food access and access to recreation resources. One recent example of how policy can be used to create a healthier environment is in Los Angeles, where the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance placing a moratorium on new fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles where outlets were over concentrated. Residents are fighting to get support for more food markets and other healthy food outlets.
Search the databases below for more examples of progressive policy work on the local level:
Progressive Policies Database Collection
Why Local?
Changing norms and environments are in the main a local project. Lasting environmental change is accomplished by a range of local players working together, and where local leadership is supporter with strong policy skills and community organizing experience, whether or not they are public health “content” experts.
Local policy work deserves more attention, not only for its local impact but because it is now the primary form in which social policy is developed. Policy development, previously the domain of experts and lobbyists, is increasingly being used as a tool for community change. Grassroots groups are taking their own agendas to city hall and the state house and proactively transforming them into progressive, meaningful policies.
Policy in Action
What do we mean by policy advocacy?
Work done as a group to advocate publicly for changes in policy (e.g., laws, ordinances, institutional procedures, administrative rulings) by a decision-making body that results in new policy actions, agreements, or stronger enforcement of existing policies that improve some aspect of a community's health.
Health-related Policy Examples
We’ve pulled these examples from the Prevention Institute’s ENACT Policy Tool to give you an idea of the kinds of policy advocacy work already underway. We’ll be adding to the list as the initiative gets underway, so please bookmark this page and check back for updates.
