CSuB3 - Understanding Civic Engagement as a Social Driver of Health and a Tactic to Advance Health Equity

Health centers have been at the forefront of advancing health equity by making significant contributions to community-level transformations aimed at improving overall health and well-being. While their primary focus remains meeting immediate patient needs, many health centers made investments in upstream health equity efforts that have influenced policies, systems, and structures that impact a person’s health. These upstream efforts require involvement from community members and such strategies align with the concept of “Civic Engagement”, which is considered a social driver of health (SDOH). An alternative viewpoint on civic engagement revolves around activities designed to cultivate a "sense of belonging" within the community, concentrating on strengthening civic involvement through initiatives rooted in the local community. Increasing research and understanding highlight the significance of civic engagement in health equity endeavors, especially within health centers, given their leadership and established track record in civic engagement.

This session will provide an overview of civic engagement, including examples of health centers and the impact of civic engagement in their communities. Given that this is a Presidential election year, this session will also highlight how Vot-ER’s Community Civic Engagement Program supports health centers in implementing non-partisan civic engagement activities and explain the legal guidelines surrounding these initiatives. Finally, attendees will learn about promising practices and resources that can be utilized at health centers to promote civic engagement while navigating the evolving political landscape.