News and Opportunities for Engagement
Briefing Recording: Addressing Food Insecurity and Nutrition as a Social Determinant of Health
On July 13, 2022, the Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus held a briefing to highlight the drivers and health impacts of food insecurity, highlight best practices in helping to connect individuals with access to healthy food, and explore potential policy approaches to alleviate the impact of food insecurity.
The webinar featured remarks from Caucus Members Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Tom Cole (R-OK), G. K. Butterfield (D-NC), and Jim McGovern (D-MA). Rep. McGovern spoke about the upcoming White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health which is set to take place this September. Additional details on the Conference and how to get involved can be found here. The webinar also featured remarks from panelists across the health and social services sectors on best practices and models around food as an SDOH, as well as their recommendations for what Congress and the Administration can do to address this issue to improve health outcomes.
Guest panelists included:
- Chris Bernard, Executive Director, Hunger Free Oklahoma
- Crystal Clark, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, UPMC Community HealthChoices, UPMC Health Plan
- Karlen Sandall, Digital Health Worker Manager, OSF OnCall, OSF Healthcare
- Will Sellers, Executive Director, Wholesome Wave Georgia
Panelist bios can be found here. The slides used in the briefing can be found here, and the recording of the briefing can be found here.
Save the Date: RSVP for a Briefing on Addressing Food Insecurity and Nutrition as a SDOH
Opening remarks will be provided by:
Congressional SDOH Caucus Members Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Tom Cole (R-OK), G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) will also provide remarks on the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
Guest Panelists include:
- Chris Bernard, Executive Director, Hunger Free Oklahoma
- Crystal Clark, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, UPMC Community HealthChoices, UPMC Health Plan
- Karlen Sandall, Digital Health Worker Manager, OSF OnCall, OSF Healthcare
- Will Sellers, Executive Director, Wholesome Wave Georgia
Panelist bios can be found here. To register for the briefing, click here.
Briefing Recording: Expanding Access to Transportation to Advance Health
On October 21, the Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus held its first briefing event to highlight best practices and innovative models related to transportation as a social determinant of health.
The webinar featured remarks from Caucus Members Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA). The briefing also featured remarks from panelists from across sectors on best practices and models around transportation that are working to address social needs, what is needed to enhance or replicate those models, and what Congress can do to accelerate this work and address transportation barriers to improve health outcomes for all.
Guest Panelists included:
- Jeffrey Nelson, Chair, American Public Transportation Association, and CEO/Managing Director, Rock Island County Mass Transit District, Moline, IL
- Edward P. Ehlinger, MD, MSPH, Past President of ASTHO and former Minnesota State Health Commissioner
- Nebeyou Abebe, Senior Vice President of Social Determinants of Health, Highmark Health
- Kathy Chan, Director of Policy, Cook County Health
- Krista Drobac, Co-Chair, Aligning for Health (moderator)
A recording of the webinar can be found here.
Save the Date: RSVP for the Expanding Access to Transportation to Advance Health Briefing
Opening remarks will be provided by: Congressional SDOH Caucus Members Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA)
Guest Panelists include:
- Jeffrey Nelson, Chair, American Public Transportation Association, and CEO/Managing Director, Rock Island County Mass Transit District, Moline, IL
- Edward P. Ehlinger, MD, MSPH, Past President of ASTHO and former Minnesota State Health Commissioner
- Nebeyou Abebe, Senior Vice President of Social Determinants of Health, Highmark Health
- Kathy Chan, Director of Policy, Cook County Health
- Krista Drobac, Co-Chair, Aligning for Health (moderator)
To register for the briefing, click here.
Request for Briefing Proposals
The Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus is accepting proposals for congressional briefing ideas. The Caucus will consider working with outside groups to host briefings that provide insight on social determinants issues, best practices, and policy ideas to combat social determinants.
Please provide details on your proposed event via this form. Thorough and complete responses are most likely to be considered by the Caucus. For questions, please contact liam.steadman@mail.house.gov. Please note, filling out this form does not guarantee that the Caucus will host your event.
Request for Information
The Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus is seeking feedback on challenges and opportunities related to social determinants of health.
Congressional responsibility for programs to address SDOH is divided among many Committees, while programs addressing health and social needs are splintered across multiple federal agencies. As such, we have convened the bipartisan Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus to bring together members of Congress from disparate jurisdictions to highlight the opportunities for coordination across programs, to improve health outcomes, and to maximize existing and future federal investments in health, food, housing, transportation, and other important drivers of health. Leadership is needed to break down the barriers that impede better coordination between health and social services programs.
Please share feedback to the questions included in this form on challenges and opportunities, which will be shared with SDOH Caucus co-chairs. For more information, please contact Liam Steadman in Congresswoman Cheri Bustos’ office at Liam.Steadman@mail.house.gov, Caitlin Van Sant in Congressman G.K. Butterfield’s office at Caitlin.VanSant@mail.house.gov, Shane Hand in Congressman Tom Cole’s office at Shane.Hand@mail.house.gov, or Kaitlynn Skoog in Congressman Markwayne Mullin’s office at Kaitlynn.Skoog@mail.house.gov.
Submissions are due by September 21, 2021.
Webinar Recording: Launching the Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus!
On July 21, Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Tom Cole (R-OK), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) held a public webinar to launch the bipartisan Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus.
The webinar featured remarks from the bipartisan caucus co-chairs, Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Tom Cole (R-OK), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), along with panel remarks from the following experts on the value this caucus will bring to addressing SDOH from the health and community-based organization perspective:
- Kevin Washington, President and CEO, YMCA of the USA
- Karin VanZant, Vice President, National Social Determinants of Health Strategy, CareSource
- Krista Drobac, Co-Chair, Aligning for Health (moderator)
A recording of the webinar can be found here. The Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus will bring together Members of Congress from disparate jurisdictions to highlight opportunities for coordination across federal investments in health, public health, food, housing, transportation, and other important drivers of health. Caucus members are requesting comments from stakeholders through September 21 on challenges and opportunities related to social determinants of health.
Save the Date: RSVP for the Launch of the Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus!
