How to Create Lasting Policy Change:
Synergies Between Science, Legal
Analysis and Policy Change
The legal information and assistance provided in this webinar
does not constitute legal advice or legal representation.
Introductions
Carter Headrick,
Director of State and Local Obesity Policy
Initiatives, American Heart Association
Natasha Frost
Staff Attorney,
Public Health Law Center
The Public Health Law Center
The Public Health Law Center
Services include:
 Legal research
 Policy development
 Publications
 Training
Our 2020 Impact
Goal
A
“By 2020, to improve the
cardiovascular health of
all Americans by 20 % while
reducing deaths from
cardiovascular diseases and stroke
by 20 %.”
How to Create Lasting Policy Change
Webinar Objectives
• Describe the role of science in policy change
• Illustrate practical examples of how to use science
in policy change
• Demonstrate how to work with lawyers to lead
lasting and meaningful public health policy
iniatives
PUBLIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT
AT THE AMERICAN HEART
ASSOCIATION
Driven Locally
With a Scientific Engine
And Legal Frame
Driven Locally
• Annual Review
• Process Begins with State and Local staff
Driven Locally
Example, Shared Use:
• Problem Identification
• Research
• Baseline
• Prioritization
The Scientific Engine
The Scientific Engine
• Must have a Scientific Engine.
• Policy Position Statements are Scientific Papers
• Policy must drive towards goals identified by
science.
• Only deviation is when we need policy to do
more research and develop better informed
science.
• Science Must be Translated
American•Founded
Heart
Association
in 1924 by Drs. Lewis A. Connor and
Robert H. Halsey of
New York; Paul D.
White of Boston; Joseph Sailor of Philadelphia;
Robert B. Preble of Chicago and Hugh D.
McCulloch of St. Louis.
•Since 1949, the AHA has spent more than $3.3
billion on research to increase our knowledge
about cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
•The AHA currently funds about 2,500 scientists
around the United States.
•The AHA is second only to the federal
government in funding cardiovascular and
stroke research.
The Legal Frame
• Policy Change Happens in a Legal Environment
• Governing is a very sloppy process
• Little continuity
• Citizen Legislators
The Legal Frame
Lawyers help us remember
there are three branches of
Government and those
branches are equal and have
equal weight in their
influence on policy.
Case Studies
 Community
Recreational Use of School
Property After Hours
 Limiting Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in the
Workplace /Hospital
What Science to Use
What is the sample size?
Is it replicable?
Who is the population?
Is the research design sound?
Who funded the study?
Using Lawyers
Knowing the Legal Landscape
Helping Identify the Science
Reviewing Policy and Law
Using Lawyers
Community Recreational Use of School
Property After Hours
Using Lawyers
Limiting SugarSweetened Beverages in
the Workplace/Hospital
How does Science Fit into Law and Policy?
Overcoming Political Challenges
Overcoming Legal Challenges
How does Science Fit into Law and Policy?
Community Recreational Use of School Property
After Hours
How does Science Fit into Law and Policy?
Limiting SugarSweetened Beverages
in the
Workplace/Hospital
Where do you find science?
AHA
CDC
NRPA
NASBE
Peer-reviewed journals
Copyright - AHA
Overview of Food Environment and Obesity
Direct, Indirect, and Total Costs of CVD ($ billions)
$1,200
$1,094
$1,000
$818
$800
$690
$600
$400
$200
$444
$470
$273
$172
$276
$220
$0
2010
Direct
2020
Indirect
Total
2030
24
What Type of Science
Public Health
Economic
Student Achievement
Community Safety
Health Care Cost
Other
What Type of Science
Community Recreational Use of School
Property After Hours
What Type of Science
Limiting SugarSweetened Beverages
in the Workplace
Evaluation as a Way to Create Science
Community
Recreational Use of
School Property After
Hours
Evaluation as a Way to Create Science
Limiting SugarSweetened Beverages
in the Workplace