Humana Foundation Learnings: American Public Health Association - “Rebuilding trust in public health and science”

Humana Foundation Innovation Portfolio Strategy Principal Soojin Conover recently attended the American Public Health Association’s annual conference in Minneapolis from Oct. 27 – 30. The theme of the conference was “Rebuilding trust in public health and science.”

Researchers, policymakers, and public health professionals gathered to share ideas, learnings, and insights reflecting challenges and opportunities for public health research and policy during this annual conference. Learnings from the conference will inform the Foundation’s work, including research grants program to drive innovative and equitable solutions that will help people across the country live healthier lives.

In pursuit of leading the thinking and actions in these shared spaces, Soojin shared several important learnings and takeaways from discussions at the American Public Health Association’s annual conference:

• Active community participation and trust-building are crucial for meaningful research outcomes: Community-engaged and community-based participatory research approach bridges science and community action to identify potential solutions to issues that are meaningful and relevant to community. By actively involving community stakeholders in the research process, community voices and their insights are reflected in studies. Building trust and equitable partnerships among collaborators is crucial for effective engagement in diverse communities. Strategies include cultural and linguistic responsiveness, continuous feedback, collaborative decision-making, and acknowledging contributions including fair compensation for participants.
  
  
• Investing in scientific rigor can drive policy change despite practical concerns: More scientifically rigorous research is needed to evaluate nutrition interventions and generate evidence that can drive policy change. In community-based program studies, however, there are often trade-offs between scientific rigor and other critical factors such as practical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, or ethical considerations, which vary depending on the context. By leveraging advanced research methodologies, and making more intentional investments in scientific inquiry, it is possible to uphold scientific rigor while addressing these practical challenges.
  
  
• Addressing root causes and providing ongoing support are essential for lasting food security: In discussions about produce prescription programs, sustainability for food-insecure participants remains a key concern. While these programs can serve as a catalyst for adopting healthier eating behavior and improving nutrition-related conditions, food insecurity for participants often persists long after the programs conclude. Without continued support, such as access to affordable and nutritious food, many participants struggle to maintain these behaviors in the long term. Addressing the root causes of food insecurity and ensuring ongoing resources are critical for lasting impact.
  
  
• Effective, scalable interventions are needed to mitigate senior loneliness and improve mental health: Research continuously underscores the impact of loneliness on mental health and the importance of social relationships and connectedness in mitigating loneliness, particularly among seniors. With the ongoing shortage of mental healthcare providers, studies suggest intergenerational community-based programs, social connection initiatives using digital technology or interventions led by community health workers can positively impact senior populations by reducing loneliness and social isolation, ultimately lowering the risk of depression. More research on effective and scalable interventions, including suicide prevention strategies, is needed to identify the most impactful solutions and ensure they address the unique needs of racially and ethnically diverse communities.

On behalf of the Humana Foundation, thank you, Soojin, for sharing these learnings from the American Public Health Association’s annual conference: “Rebuilding trust in public health and science.”

This article and accompanying insights are part of the Humana Foundation’s continual growth journey where we share learnings to expand our knowledge in philanthropy to better serve our communities.