Top Stories of 2020

A year ago, our predictions for 2020 missed all but the recession. COVID has us giving up on predictions, so we’ll just take a look back at our top stories of this year. Advocacy Toolbox now online — Updates include specific, real world tools for legislative, administrative, and state budget advocacy, how to change public…

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CT housing and economic development training institute now accepting applications

Housing and health are intimately linked. Housing that is unstable, unsafe, poor quality, and a financial burden all affects the health of residents and communities. As these challenges grow, Connecticut’s housing and economic development workforce is predominantly male, white, and growing older. Professionals in the field are retiring at a faster rate than new entries…

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Help us build a CT health policy learning hub

Healthcare is critical to Connecticut’s wellbeing but navigating health policy is complicated and confusing. The Connecticut Health Policy Project is considering a new project for 2021 to foster understanding about health policy in our state. We plan to build on this year’s Advocacy Toolbox but widen to anyone who wants a better understanding of how…

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ICER seeking members for New England evidence review group

The Institute for Economic and Clinical Review (ICER) is seeking nominations for new members to the New England Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council (New England CEPAC). The Council includes leading clinicians, patient and consumer advocates, methodologists, and health economists. The group holds public meetings three to four times per year to discuss evidence reports on…

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State seeking public input on 2025 health improvement plan, they are really listening

After months of the Dept. of Public Health has finalized their draft plan to set goals and strategies to improve the health of all Connecticut residents by 2025. The ambitious, detailed plan focuses on access to healthcare, economic stability, healthy food and housing, and community strength and resilience. Metrics include suicide rates, obesity, overdose deaths,…

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Advocacy Tool of the Day archive online

The last Advocacy Tool of the Day will be in email boxes on Monday. The Tools provided a roadmap through the updated Advocacy Toolbox. Tools included how to engage policymakers, serving on a policy committee, coalitions, working with reporters, thanking the people that help, and the budget cycle (very important this coming year). If you…

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CT suicide prevention planning to save lives

Like the rest of the nation, deaths by suicide were rising in Connecticut even before the pandemic, according to the State of Connecticut Suicide Prevention Plan for 2020 – 2025. One in three Connecticut residents have reported signs of depressive and/or anxiety disorder during the pandemic. The newly released plan offers data-driven recommendations to prevent…

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CTNJ Op-Ed: Labels matter in healthcare, especially the misleading ones

The President was right – healthcare is complicated. There are lots of reasons, but a big one is language. What something is called can add to or lessen understanding. Sometimes it can be deceptive, giving the impression of a more acceptable definition than the truth. It rarely works for long, but a lot of harm…

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CTNJ candidate questionnaire now online

Candidates’ answers to CT News Junkie’s questionnaire about policy issues facing Connecticut is now online. Several questions relate to healthcare. Inform your vote by checking out your candidates’ answers. Health questions for candidates: What should Connecticut do to re-tool our public health for COVID-19 and the possibility of future pandemics, while also addressing other chronic…

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Sign up for daily tips on the Art and Craft of Advocacy

You want to make a difference, but advocacy can be confusing, frustrating, and time-consuming. We can help. Sign up for Today’s Advocacy Tool – a month of inspiration, tips, and practical tools. Every weekday in November, we’ll send an email with insight, best practices, and lessons we’ve learned from the updated Health Advocacy Toolbox. You’ll…

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