During our recent ASPPH Presents webinars, Mobilizing Civic Engagement to Advance Community Health, experts from academia, philanthropy, and community leadership explored how civic engagement drives equitable public health policy and fosters meaningful partnerships across sectors. The discussion highlighted how authentic community participation can strengthen democracy, shift power structures, and improve health outcomes across diverse populations.

Moderated by ASPPH Chief External Relations and Advocacy Officer Tim Leshan, the conversation brought together Chief Policy and Impact Officer of Health Forward Foundation, McClain Bryant Macklin, Professor and Vice Chair in Population Health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Dr. Elizabeth Ablah, and Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Dr. Christina M. Pacheco for a rich, practice-focused discussion. 

Panelists described how foundations and universities can build capacity for advocacy, provide legal and technical support to local health agencies, and invest in community partners to sustain long-term change. They shared concrete examples from the Kansas and Missouri region, including the COPE initiative that mobilized local health equity action teams across 20 counties, and the Laundry Love program, which offers free laundry services while connecting families to vital community resources.

The 29th and Grove groundwater effort further illustrated how transparency, collaboration, and community leadership can transform civic engagement into measurable health and policy improvements.

The recording and slides are now available for viewing and sharing with colleagues.