Our Health Policy Work
In order to give all of Connecticut’s residents opportunities to reach optimal health, we need to bring about change both inside and outside of health systems. And much of that change comes in the public policy arena. CT Health works in that arena to address issues connected to our state’s health system, such as state budget expenditures, financing the safety net health care system, and regulation implementation.
We support advocacy and public policy research to create enduring system-wide change. Because with real change, you don’t just help one person—you help hundreds. And you don’t just solve problems today—you improve health outcomes for future generations.
How do we do it?
- We take risks. We challenge the government, health service providers and community organizations to make sure they are serving all of the state’s citizens and ensuring the best possible outcomes.
- We do our research. The health issues we deal with are urgent, but our work is deliberate. Our policy briefs and reports are diligent, data-driven, responsible and respectful. The questions we ask may be controversial, but our methodology is solid.
- We put that research in the hands of decision-makers. Often policy-makers have to make decisions on big issues with very little information at hand. Our research helps them to make informed choices about policies that affect our residents’ health.
- We invest in leaders. Our Health Leadership Fellows program helps develop leaders in government, business, health care, and communities and other diverse disciplines who affect policy and public will and champion health equity across the state.
- We build relationships. We know that changing systems isn’t an individual effort. We’re in it together. That’s why we seek to build collaborations and coalitions, engage partners, and convene experts to raise awareness, take action, and tackle issues that cause health inequity in Connecticut.
- We support public engagement. We work with advocacy organizations and the news media to engage the public in their government and in the policy-making process. Engaging communities and community leaders is a critical step in creating changes to the system.
