How Community Should Inform Policy and Ultimately Policy Should Improve Community as It Relates to SDOH

Communities are directly impacted by the policies that are implemented by governmental policymakers. That is why it is imperative that the community be involved in the policymaking process. When I was first elected in 2018, I had the opportunity to be engaged by a member of my own community on policy, thus giving me a firsthand perspective on the importance of policymakers hearing the stories of the community. Unfortunately, however, many in the community do not know they are able to participate in the process; do not know with whom to engage on issues affecting their community; do not have the resources or face barriers to participate; or do not feel they have enough expertise or knowledge to engage with elected officials. The consequence of each of these is a less informed policymaker who may not grasp the true impact of the laws they pass. In this chapter, I address the who, what, where, and how of community-informed policy.