Annual health-policy forum Oct. 8 in Frankfort will focus on how a civic engagement approach can change health outcomes in Ky.

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

What if the way to improving the health of Kentuckians is to create a culture where every person shares the same goal? That will be the focus of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's 2024 Howard L. Bost Memorial Health Policy Forum, to be held at the Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway Street, Frankfort from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET Oct. 8.

The forum, titled "Finding Common Ground on our Path to Better Health," will look at how to unite the state around a shared goal of addressing unmet health needs. The event is free, but reservations are required. To register, click here.

"Kentucky is consistently ranked as one of the unhealthier states in the country, despite the efforts by a dedicated few to improve the well-being of our communities," according to a news release for the event. "To make real progress, every single Kentuckian will need to play their part because we are stronger together."

Kentucky has been ranked among the bottom 10 states in health status since the America's Health Rankings began in 1990, except in 2008, when it ranked 39th. In 2023, Kentucky ranked No. 41.

The forum will host national and local experts who will talk about how to more authentically engage community members and find common ground on the path toward better health.

The sessions include:

• Enough, Time to Build: How Communities Can Forge a Civic Path Forward: Rich Harwood, president and founder of The Harwood Institute, will talk about that the way forward is a new civic path, not more divisive politics.
• Philanthropy + Democracy: Centering Humanity: Joy Ossei-Anto, managing director of Funder Engagement, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement will explore the role philanthropy can play in ensuring democracy is larger than politics and that humanity is centered.
• Moving from Ally to Advocate: A Call to Action: Colene Elridge, CEO of Be More Consulting, will delve into the critical journey from allyship to advocacy within healthcare policy.

The annual forum was created in memory of Dr. Howard L. Bost, a notable health economist and founding member of the foundation's board of directors. The forum aims to raise awareness of the health issues impacting Kentuckians and highlight model strategies and policy opportunities to improve Kentucky’s health. It welcomes a range of audiences from inside and outside the health industry, including health care advocates, providers and educators, business professionals, civic leaders, policy makers and more.