Overview
Public health is facing complex challenges, and the Network is rethinking how we can best support the field. We’re hosting focus groups and interviews to hear directly from you, our partners in public health. Join us (virtually or in person) to share your perspective and receive a $25 gift card for your time. Spots are limited.
Public health is at a critical crossroads. The challenges are more complex than ever: from advancing health equity to addressing climate impacts, and preventing communicable diseases to navigating shifting, and at times hostile, policy landscapes. At the Network, we are asking ourselves essential questions about how to best support public health: What’s working? Where are we falling short? How must we evolve to meet this moment and prepare for what’s ahead?
We know the best way to answer these questions is with you.
Every two to three years, the Network conducts a deep evaluation of our work. We go beyond the numbers and seek candid, qualitative insights from the people who know us best: public health practitioners, policy experts, community partners, researchers, and care providers who have engaged with our resources, technical assistance, webinars, and conferences.
This year, we’ve partnered with Frey Evaluation, LLC to guide the process. Together, we’re launching a series of focus groups and interviews to hear directly from you—the people on the frontlines of public health—about how the Network can better support your efforts to improve health outcomes and racial health equity in communities across the country.
Why Now?
Public health infrastructure is under tremendous strain. Communities face widening inequities. Legal and policy tools remain essential, but they must be responsive, actionable and accessible. That’s why your feedback is critical right now: to help us bolster the support, expertise and partnerships needed to strengthen the field.
We’re also at a strategic inflection point within the Network, determining our next set of priorities and opportunities. We don’t want to make those decisions without hearing from the people we serve.
What to Expect
We’ll be hosting virtual conversations throughout August and September, as well as in-person sessions at the 2025 Public Health Law Conference, September 16-18 in Seattle, and are looking for individuals to participate in these conversations.
If selected, you’ll receive a $25 gift card as a small token of appreciation. All responses will remain anonymous, and no individual comments will be attributed.
Feedback from these sessions will directly inform the Network’s strategic planning and program development. We’ll also share key findings and updates with participants and the broader community.
Who Are We Hoping to Hear From?
We’re connecting with a diverse range of participants across public health sectors, including:
· Local and state health departments
· Policy leaders and legal experts
· Community-based organizations
· Participants in our key focus areas, such as Climate and Racial Health Equity
Whether you’ve worked closely with us or just attended a webinar or two, your perspective is valuable.
Want to Join a Focus Group?
If you’re interested in participating, please contact Anna Schmalzbauer at aschmalzbauer@networkforphl.org. Spots are limited, so we encourage you to reach out soon.
And, if you know a colleague or community partner who’d have valuable feedback, please feel free to share this opportunity with them! At the Network, we’re committed to using the law and policy to advance health equity and improve health outcomes for individuals and communities. With your help, we can make sure that commitment translates into meaningful support and solutions for the field.
This post was written by Quang (“Q”) H. Dang, J.D., Interim Co-Executive Director, Ann Phi-Wendt, Interim Co-Executive Director, and Anna Schmalzbauer, Director of Program Operations, Network for Public Health Law.
The Network promotes public health and health equity through non-partisan educational resources and technical assistance. These materials provided are provided solely for educational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. The Network’s provision of these materials does not create an attorney-client relationship with you or any other person and is subject to the Network’s Disclaimer.
Support for the Network is provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The views expressed in this post do not represent the views of (and should not be attributed to) RWJF.
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