Past Meetings:

CSG Spring Committee & Task Force Meetings

June 10-14 , 2007

Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Presentations from the meeting:

Amanda Navarro, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Enrique Martinez-Vidal, Academy Health

Former Vermont State Sen. James Leddy

Dr. Richard Brown, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Health Policy Forum on Cardiovascular Health and Wellness

Sept. 27-29, 2006

Phoenix, Ariz.

Research shows that heart disease and stroke are the most common cardiovascular diseases affecting both men and women in the United States, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all annual deaths.  In addition, more than 70 million Americans currently live with a cardiovascular disease which often leads to premature and permanent disability.  Economically, the impact of cardiovascular diseases on our health care system continues to grow and has been projected to cost $403 billion in 2006.  State health leaders want to provide key strategies for addressing cardiovascular diseases, but are acutely aware of how expensive such care can be.  This forum offered attendees a chance to learn more about cardiovascular care and proven strategies to offset the economic burden placed on states.  Through discussion with experts and other state leaders, attendees developed an action plan they can take home to their states.

Presentations from the meeting:

• Alexander
• Birnbaum Decreasing Risk
• Birnbaum Types of CVD
• Boisseau
• Larsen
• Laura Hayman
• Macchi 2
• Masters
• Ozminkowski
• Paulsen
• Toni Yancey

Health Policy Forum for State Legislators and State Policymakers:
Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: Childhood and Beyond

Sept. 17-19 , 2006

Memphis, Tenn.
This forum was held for innovative and trendsetting leaders from state executive and legislative branches to discuss active living and healthy eating policies. The conference was sponsored by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). It focused on childhood obesity and highlighted effective policies that promote school and community-based wellness.

Healthy States Forum for State Legislators:
Transforming Science into Policy for a Healthier Nation

Aug. 24-26 , 2006

Boston, Mass.
This exciting forum discussed targeted public health policy solutions addressing health disparities in adolescents, graduated driver's licensing for teens, the impact of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV in adolescents and new vaccines being licensed for children and youth.  Legislators also attended other workshops that addressed autism and early detection programs, state laws to promote STD and HIV prevention, monitoring systems for environmental and public health linkages, and flu vaccines for adults.

Healthy States Summit for State Legislators:
Building Healthier Communities for Our Youth and Adults

July 17-19 , 2006

San Francisco, Calif.
This conference allowed state legislators to exchange ideas and learn more about innovative policies to prevent chronic diseases and improve the health of children and adults in the communities where they live, work and play. The conference covered topics about children and adolescents in schools and the community, as well as adults in the workplace, in the community and health care settings.

Healthy States Pre-Conference:
Public Health Policy Roles for State Legislators and
CDC's Public Health Law Conference

June 11-14 , 2006

Atlanta, Ga.
State legislators from across the country came together to discuss and promote public health policy with peer legislators and national experts during CSG's Pre-Conference. This conference allowed state legislators to address public health issues and identify innovative, collaborative programs for their states.

Health Policy Forum on Mental Health Care and Wellness

May 31, 2006 - June 2, 2006

Coronado, Calif.

Research shows in a given year about one in four adults - 57.7 million people - suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder.  Mental disorders are also the leading cause of disability in the United States for those ages 15-44.  Long delays to diagnosis and even longer delays to initial treatment are typical and lead to unnecessary severity and disability.  Legislative leaders want to provide access to quality care, but are acutely aware of how expensive such care can be.  This forum will offer attendees a chance to learn more about mental health care and the difficulties people with mental illness face in accessing and navigating the complex mental health care system.

Presentations from the meeting:

• Buck
• Christensen
• Davidson
• Dolinar

Past Web Casts:

School Wellness Policies: Nutrition and Physical Activity

Aug. 30, 2006

This Web cast, sponsored by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), took another look at Childhood Obesity Issues for State Policymakers.  Click the link above to view the archived Web cast and hear from Yibo Wood (USDA), state Sen. Rosa Franklin (Washington) and Wanda Shockey (Arkansas Department of Education) who discussed the vital role schools play in addressing the epidemic of childhood obesity.

Healthy Eating: Access to Healthy Foods
July 27, 2006

This Web cast was the first in our 2006 Web Cast series on Childhood Obesity Issues for State Policymakers, sponsored by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). These Web casts were free to state policymakers and staff through the RWJF grant.  This initiative offers a closer look at the growing epidemic of childhood obesity and other public health issues. It also affords us the opportunity to analyze and address innovative policies and programs to improve childhood nutrition and physical activity leading to a healthier and more productive adult life. Click the link above to view the archived Web cast. The speakers who addressed child nutrition in the U.S. were John Perkins (Texas Department of Agriculture), state Sen. Deborah Ortiz (California) and state Sen. Dan Foster (West Virginia).