Public Health is Essential! Stories and Action for Rebuilding Washington’s Core Services

In this one-hour webinar, which is part of the Hot Topics series, government affairs specialists discuss a statewide plan to build public support for funding essential public health services in Washington.

Learning Objectives

• List three elements of the foundational public health services funding proposal being considered by the Washington State Legislature.
• Review how to talk about core public health services in compelling ways to those who are not familiar with them.
• Identify two ways to educate decision-makers and other stakeholders on the importance of public health in local communities.

Intended Audiences

Local, state, and tribal public health professionals; partners of public health

Presenters

Heather Thomas, MPA, MA, Public and Government Affairs Manager, Snohomish Health District

Anne Burkland, MPA, Government Relations Specialist, Public Health – Seattle & King County

Jennifer Muhm, MPA, Government Affairs Director, Washington State Nurses Association

Discussion Questions

1. Which groups in your community are impacted by public health services? What services do they receive?
2. What public health services would people be surprised to learn are not taking place in your community?
3. What recent health issues have been in the news in your community that could spark a conversation about funding public health services?

Resources

• Public Health is Essential
• Washington State Department of Health Public Health Transformation