Strong, strategic, long-term, and trusting relationships with community partners are vital to advancing health equity and transforming public health practices. These relationships must recognize each other’s strengths, be rooted in shared values and interests, share decision making, and allow for authentic participation by those facing inequities.
Rather than simply seeking feedback or hosting one-way conversations, health departments must intentionally listen to and learn from communities, and partner with communities in ways that build their capacity and power to gain greater control over the factors that affect their lives. Most importantly, departments must demonstrate a willingness to be guided by communities’ needs, interests, and voices, which will determine departments’ policy and program priorities. (abbreviated author introduction) #P4HEwebinarJune2023 #P4HEwebinarApril2024