Alonzo L. Plough – författare

Weaving together research findings and narratives, Culture of Health in Practice: Innovations in Research, Community Engagement, and Action explores the many opportunities we have as a society to advance a Culture of Health and makes the case that a commitment to health equity is fundamental to bringing those efforts into the mainstream. In this latest contribution to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Culture of Health Series, contributors describe the challenges and opportunities in rural and urban regions, in neighborhoods and schools, in prisons and workplaces. They explore different populations, including immigrants, minority youth, and individuals with substance use disorders; the risks posed by climate change; the role of the media in shaping the public discourse; and the innovations being spearheaded by health providers, insurers, and community leaders. Together, the chapters carry the message that while the challenges are daunting, achieving health equity for all lies within reach.

Weaving together research findings and narratives, Culture of Health in Practice: Innovations in Research, Community Engagement, and Action explores the many opportunities we have as a society to advance a Culture of Health and makes the case that a commitment to health equity is fundamental to bringing those efforts into the mainstream. In this latest contribution to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation''s Culture of Health Series, contributors describe the challenges and opportunities in rural and urban regions, in neighborhoods and schools, in prisons and workplaces. They explore different populations, including immigrants, minority youth, and individuals with substance use disorders; the risks posed by climate change; the role of the media in shaping the public discourse; and the innovations being spearheaded by health providers, insurers, and community leaders. Together, the chapters carry the message that while the challenges are daunting, achieving health equity for all lies within reach.

Weaving together research findings and narratives, Culture of Health in Practice: Innovations in Research, Community Engagement, and Action explores the many opportunities we have as a society to advance a Culture of Health and makes the case that a commitment to health equity is fundamental to bringing those efforts into the mainstream. In this latest contribution to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation''s Culture of Health Series, contributors describe the challenges and opportunities in rural and urban regions, in neighborhoods and schools, in prisons and workplaces. They explore different populations, including immigrants, minority youth, and individuals with substance use disorders; the risks posed by climate change; the role of the media in shaping the public discourse; and the innovations being spearheaded by health providers, insurers, and community leaders. Together, the chapters carry the message that while the challenges are daunting, achieving health equity for all lies within reach.

Cities and countries around the world, from New Zealand to Singapore to Iceland, are starting to take a well-being approach by reorienting policies, budgets and other actions to advance human and planetary well-being. Well-being metrics--holistic measurements of an individual's or population's capacity to thrive, including the condition of their community, society, and environment--provide a nuanced and predictive view that transcends purely economic measures; they illuminate conditions of inequity and despair that other tools ignore, and expand the notion of health beyond simply the absence of disease.Well-Being: Expanding the Definition of Progress summarizes the experiences and insights of practitioners, researchers and innovators from around the world, gathered together by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to explore how a well-being approach might further spread in the United States. Centered in the commitment to balance economic growth--the traditional dashboard of progress--with well-being, this book is a combination of scientific papers, case studies from the field, and excerpts from a lively, multidisciplinary discussion which intentionally connects issues of measurement to the imperative for action. Rich with insights on policy and practice, narratives and culture, equity and shifts in power, alignment with other movements, and cross-sector collaboration, it is intended to inspire governmental leaders, policymakers, economists, measurement scientists, reporters, and others who crave a more integrated and balanced pursuit of progress.

Cities and countries around the world, from New Zealand to Singapore to Iceland, are starting to take a well-being approach by reorienting policies, budgets and other actions to advance human and planetary well-being. Well-being metrics--holistic measurements of an individual''s or population''s capacity to thrive, including the condition of their community, society, and environment--provide a nuanced and predictive view that transcends purely economic measures; they illuminate conditions of inequity and despair that other tools ignore, and expand the notion of health beyond simply the absence of disease.Well-Being: Expanding the Definition of Progress summarizes the experiences and insights of practitioners, researchers and innovators from around the world, gathered together by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to explore how a well-being approach might further spread in the United States. Centered in the commitment to balance economic growth--the traditional dashboard of progress--with well-being, this book is a combination of scientific papers, case studies from the field, and excerpts from a lively, multidisciplinary discussion which intentionally connects issues of measurement to the imperative for action. Rich with insights on policy and practice, narratives and culture, equity and shifts in power, alignment with other movements, and cross-sector collaboration, it is intended to inspire governmental leaders, policymakers, economists, measurement scientists, reporters, and others who crave a more integrated and balanced pursuit of progress.

Cities and countries around the world, from New Zealand to Singapore to Iceland, are starting to take a well-being approach by reorienting policies, budgets and other actions to advance human and planetary well-being. Well-being metrics--holistic measurements of an individual''s or population''s capacity to thrive, including the condition of their community, society, and environment--provide a nuanced and predictive view that transcends purely economic measures; they illuminate conditions of inequity and despair that other tools ignore, and expand the notion of health beyond simply the absence of disease.Well-Being: Expanding the Definition of Progress summarizes the experiences and insights of practitioners, researchers and innovators from around the world, gathered together by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to explore how a well-being approach might further spread in the United States. Centered in the commitment to balance economic growth--the traditional dashboard of progress--with well-being, this book is a combination of scientific papers, case studies from the field, and excerpts from a lively, multidisciplinary discussion which intentionally connects issues of measurement to the imperative for action. Rich with insights on policy and practice, narratives and culture, equity and shifts in power, alignment with other movements, and cross-sector collaboration, it is intended to inspire governmental leaders, policymakers, economists, measurement scientists, reporters, and others who crave a more integrated and balanced pursuit of progress.

AN ESSENTIAL CONVERSATION FROM TODAY'S LEADING VOICES ON EFFECTING CHANGE IN HEALTH AND SOCIETY "The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has changed the conversation about health in the United States." --Jo Ivey Boufford, President, New York Academy of MedicineIn a society where a person's zip code is a stronger predictor of health status than their genetic profile, every public health challenge is also a challenge of equity, implementation, and policy. For better or worse, improving health requires societal change, and the scale of today's societal challenges can have a stifling effect on even the most well-intended efforts.Assembled by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and featuring today's most prominent voices from diverse sectors, Knowledge to Action is a collection of short conversations focused on the idea of meaningful change -- its definition, its impediments, and exploring how we can transition from research to action in health, well-being, and equity. Steeped in honesty and benefiting from the diverse experiences of an extraordinary assembly of academics, journalists, policymakers, public health practitioners, and researchers, this book offers provocative yet actionable perspectives that will benefit anyone who reads it.

AN ESSENTIAL CONVERSATION FROM TODAY''S LEADING VOICES ON EFFECTING CHANGE IN HEALTH AND SOCIETY "The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has changed the conversation about health in the United States." --Jo Ivey Boufford, President, New York Academy of MedicineIn a society where a person''s zip code is a stronger predictor of health status than their genetic profile, every public health challenge is also a challenge of equity, implementation, and policy. For better or worse, improving health requires societal change, and the scale of today''s societal challenges can have a stifling effect on even the most well-intended efforts.Assembled by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and featuring today''s most prominent voices from diverse sectors, Knowledge to Action is a collection of short conversations focused on the idea of meaningful change -- its definition, its impediments, and exploring how we can transition from research to action in health, well-being, and equity. Steeped in honesty and benefiting from the diverse experiences of an extraordinary assembly of academics, journalists, policymakers, public health practitioners, and researchers, this book offers provocative yet actionable perspectives that will benefit anyone who reads it.

AN ESSENTIAL CONVERSATION FROM TODAY''S LEADING VOICES ON EFFECTING CHANGE IN HEALTH AND SOCIETY "The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has changed the conversation about health in the United States." --Jo Ivey Boufford, President, New York Academy of MedicineIn a society where a person''s zip code is a stronger predictor of health status than their genetic profile, every public health challenge is also a challenge of equity, implementation, and policy. For better or worse, improving health requires societal change, and the scale of today''s societal challenges can have a stifling effect on even the most well-intended efforts.Assembled by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and featuring today''s most prominent voices from diverse sectors, Knowledge to Action is a collection of short conversations focused on the idea of meaningful change -- its definition, its impediments, and exploring how we can transition from research to action in health, well-being, and equity. Steeped in honesty and benefiting from the diverse experiences of an extraordinary assembly of academics, journalists, policymakers, public health practitioners, and researchers, this book offers provocative yet actionable perspectives that will benefit anyone who reads it.

The case for evidence and collaboration in pursuit of health equityIn this second volume of the Culture of Health series, Advancing Health and Well-Being convenes experts from academia, policy, journalism, and community-based organizations, among other sectors, to examine how data and narrative can catalyze progress toward building a national Culture of Health. Tackling topics such as health inequity, mass incarceration, and climate change, Advancing Health and Well-Being does more than draw lines between cause and effect; its 70+ voices lend context and lived experience to critical conversations that may lack such elements. The result is a work that shows the power and promise of evidence and collaboration.Amid continued interest in population health and well-being, this book offers essential reading for those advancing such efforts, and those seeking an early grounding, in pursuit of a Culture of Health.

The case for evidence and collaboration in pursuit of health equityIn this second volume of the Culture of Health series, Advancing Health and Well-Being convenes experts from academia, policy, journalism, and community-based organizations, among other sectors, to examine how data and narrative can catalyze progress toward building a national Culture of Health. Tackling topics such as health inequity, mass incarceration, and climate change, Advancing Health and Well-Being does more than draw lines between cause and effect; its 70+ voices lend context and lived experience to critical conversations that may lack such elements. The result is a work that shows the power and promise of evidence and collaboration.Amid continued interest in population health and well-being, this book offers essential reading for those advancing such efforts, and those seeking an early grounding, in pursuit of a Culture of Health.

The case for evidence and collaboration in pursuit of health equityIn this second volume of the Culture of Health series, Advancing Health and Well-Being convenes experts from academia, policy, journalism, and community-based organizations, among other sectors, to examine how data and narrative can catalyze progress toward building a national Culture of Health. Tackling topics such as health inequity, mass incarceration, and climate change, Advancing Health and Well-Being does more than draw lines between cause and effect; its 70+ voices lend context and lived experience to critical conversations that may lack such elements. The result is a work that shows the power and promise of evidence and collaboration.Amid continued interest in population health and well-being, this book offers essential reading for those advancing such efforts, and those seeking an early grounding, in pursuit of a Culture of Health.

In this fifth volume of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Culture of Health series, Community Resilience: Equitable Practices for an Uncertain Future highlights the importance of resilience, or the set of assets that allow a person or place to recover when adversity hits, by illustrating the policies and stories of lived experience surrounding health equity. Whether that adversity is acute--such as an environmental disaster or an abuse of police power--or chronic--such as that engendered by poverty and racism--local innovation and community engagement are key to nurturing resilience and promoting health equity.Community Resilience positions storytelling and narrative shifts as essential to influencing our perceptions of who deserves empathy or support, and who does not, by examining the systemic barriers to resilience and the opportunities to reshape the landscape to overcome those barriers. The central message of this volume--across immigration or imprisonment, opioids or trauma, housing or disaster preparedness--is that we must act intentionally and allow a shift in power in order to make progress.

In this fifth volume of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation''s Culture of Health series, Community Resilience: Equitable Practices for an Uncertain Future highlights the importance of resilience, or the set of assets that allow a person or place to recover when adversity hits, by illustrating the policies and stories of lived experience surrounding health equity. Whether that adversity is acute--such as an environmental disaster or an abuse of police power--or chronic--such as that engendered by poverty and racism--local innovation and community engagement are key to nurturing resilience and promoting health equity.Community Resilience positions storytelling and narrative shifts as essential to influencing our perceptions of who deserves empathy or support, and who does not, by examining the systemic barriers to resilience and the opportunities to reshape the landscape to overcome those barriers. The central message of this volume--across immigration or imprisonment, opioids or trauma, housing or disaster preparedness--is that we must act intentionally and allow a shift in power in order to make progress.

In this fifth volume of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation''s Culture of Health series, Community Resilience: Equitable Practices for an Uncertain Future highlights the importance of resilience, or the set of assets that allow a person or place to recover when adversity hits, by illustrating the policies and stories of lived experience surrounding health equity. Whether that adversity is acute--such as an environmental disaster or an abuse of police power--or chronic--such as that engendered by poverty and racism--local innovation and community engagement are key to nurturing resilience and promoting health equity.Community Resilience positions storytelling and narrative shifts as essential to influencing our perceptions of who deserves empathy or support, and who does not, by examining the systemic barriers to resilience and the opportunities to reshape the landscape to overcome those barriers. The central message of this volume--across immigration or imprisonment, opioids or trauma, housing or disaster preparedness--is that we must act intentionally and allow a shift in power in order to make progress.

This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations.Necessary Conversations: Understanding Racism as a Barrier to Achieving Health Equity reflects the conviction that a true prioritization of health in our communities is impossible without a commitment to racial equity. Drawing on the pivotal social events of 2020 in America, it extends a powerful call to action based on a growing body of evidence that racism is the underlying cause of so many poor health outcomes. Contributors across health, education, law, and media further the longstanding work of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to create a "Culture of Health" by engaging in authentic discussions about the systems and structures that harm people of color and offering provocative ideas and strategies to inspire action. Necessary Conversations ultimately highlights the importance of building leadership and partnerships through those who are most affected in the community. It considers what it would take to overhaul institutions that treat people differently on the basis of race and recognizes that we all must share resources and join together to support the advancement of health and racial equity.

This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations.Necessary Conversations: Understanding Racism as a Barrier to Achieving Health Equity reflects the conviction that a true prioritization of health in our communities is impossible without a commitment to racial equity. Drawing on the pivotal social events of 2020 in America, it extends a powerful call to action based on a growing body of evidence that racism is the underlying cause of so many poor health outcomes. Contributors across health, education, law, and media further the longstanding work of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to create a "Culture of Health" by engaging in authentic discussions about the systems and structures that harm people of color and offering provocative ideas and strategies to inspire action. Necessary Conversations ultimately highlights the importance of building leadership and partnerships through those who are most affected in the community. It considers what it would take to overhaul institutions that treat people differently on the basis of race and recognizes that we all must share resources and join together to support the advancement of health and racial equity.

Advancing Health for All: On the Front Lines of Equity and Justice captures stories of lived experience and additional research from 30 experts who presented at the Equity Summit, hosted by Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine and sponsored by RWJF. New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region--with its rich culture and resources, its aching poverty and enduring structural racism, and the intensifying immediacy of a changing climate--offers a window into the interwoven risks that lie before the entire nation. Yet its rich culture and resources also offer a measure of hope, exemplified by the vigorous, equity-oriented work unfolding along so many intersecting pathways.A starting point in any power-building effort is to define community, or more accurately to ask people how they define their own communities--geography, history, ethnicity, religion, and gender identity are potential commonalities that encourage people to stand together. In this volume, we consider many kinds of communities and the relationships within and across them that can seed transformation. Local leadership is key, allowing those most directly affected by inequity to determine their own action agenda, construct the research questions and data-gathering techniques needed to pursue it, and establish indicators and outcomes of success as they seek it. RWJF's commitment is to help communities build the capacity necessary to do that.This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations.

Advancing Health for All: On the Front Lines of Equity and Justice captures stories of lived experience and additional research from 30 experts who presented at the Equity Summit, hosted by Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine and sponsored by RWJF. New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region--with its rich culture and resources, its aching poverty and enduring structural racism, and the intensifying immediacy of a changing climate--offers a window into the interwoven risks that lie before the entire nation. Yet its rich culture and resources also offer a measure of hope, exemplified by the vigorous, equity-oriented work unfolding along so many intersecting pathways. A starting point in any power-building effort is to define community, or more accurately to ask people how they define their own communities--geography, history, ethnicity, religion, and gender identity are potential commonalities that encourage people to stand together. In this volume, we consider many kinds of communities and the relationships within and across them that can seed transformation. Local leadership is key, allowing those most directly affected by inequity to determine their own action agenda, construct the research questions and data-gathering techniques needed to pursue it, and establish indicators and outcomes of success as they seek it. RWJF's commitment is to help communities build the capacity necessary to do that. This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations.

We now have abundant evidence that structural racism is a ubiquitous social force that shapes health in the United States. However, despite this growing recognition, structural racism and its influence on health outcomes have received insufficient research attention. The complexity of conducting research has been further compounded by decades in which the agenda has been set largely by a limited group of academic scholars, to the exclusion of community voices. The result is a failure to interrogate some of the core methodological assumptions that exclude essential information drawn from actual community contexts. Research to Action: Structural Racism as a Barrier to Health Equity makes an important contribution by presenting different approaches to defining structural racism and closely examining the pathways through which structural racism creates health inequities-and then going further with concrete ideas for addressing and redressing this problem. It unpacks the assumptions that influence research methodology and mindsets and looks hard at the damage wrought by the criminal justice system, the structure of political systems, the distortions imposed by wealth disparities, the enduring impact of colonialism, the intertwined relationship between climate and health, and more. This type of research is deliberately cross-disciplinary, recognizing the imperative of considering common challenges through the lenses of better integrated and connected scholarship and practice to advance informed solutions. It is also partnered with and inclusive of the ideas and experiences of persons who experience marginalized conditions in their communities.This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations.

We now have abundant evidence that structural racism is a ubiquitous social force that shapes health in the United States. However, despite this growing recognition, structural racism and its influence on health outcomes have received insufficient research attention. The complexity of conducting research has been further compounded by decades in which the agenda has been set largely by a limited group of academic scholars, to the exclusion of community voices. The result is a failure to interrogate some of the core methodological assumptions that exclude essential information drawn from actual community contexts. Research to Action: Structural Racism as a Barrier to Health Equity makes an important contribution by presenting different approaches to defining structural racism and closely examining the pathways through which structural racism creates health inequities-and then going further with concrete ideas for addressing and redressing this problem. It unpacks the assumptions that influence research methodology and mindsets and looks hard at the damage wrought by the criminal justice system, the structure of political systems, the distortions imposed by wealth disparities, the enduring impact of colonialism, the intertwined relationship between climate and health, and more. This type of research is deliberately cross-disciplinary, recognizing the imperative of considering common challenges through the lenses of better integrated and connected scholarship and practice to advance informed solutions. It is also partnered with and inclusive of the ideas and experiences of persons who experience marginalized conditions in their communities.This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations.