Jill Krueger

Mental health is deeply interconnected with physical health. The law provides tools to improve health by addressing physical, social and economic factors that influence health outcomes at the population level. This overview outlines current needs and trends in mental health promotion, including innovative legal strategies, as well as gaps where additional research and advocacy is needed.

A growing body of research establishes that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may negatively affect health and well-being throughout a person’s life span. The impact of ACEs, however, can be ameliorated by trauma-informed practices, such as through early childhood interventions that mitigate social and environmental risks for families and promote resilience. Wisconsin has been a leader in integrating trauma-informed policy across its state government.

Numerous public health practitioners and researchers have been assessing and monitoring the health effects of the changing climate. Two recently published books have the potential to help the public health sector continue to move from assessing climate interventions to implementing them as effective policy. Both books come at a critical time in the evolution of the public health response to climate change.

The inability to afford diapers for babies and toddlers is a significant source of stress for low-income families. As discussed in a previous Network blog post, gaps in federal safety net programs currently prevent them from addressing this challenge. However, innovative strategies to address diaper need are emerging.

On December 10, 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law. This Issue Brief and chart provides an overview of sections in the Act that are particularly relevant to public health, including the title and a brief descriptive summary of the section.

Across the United States, people are identifying mental health as an unmet need in their communities, and are beginning to devise strategies to promote mental health and well-being. Just as we have come to understand the role of the social determinants of health with respect to physical health, we have a growing awareness of the influence of the social determinants of mental health.