What Is Health Policy?

Any policy that has the possibility of impacting health.

Health policy works to minimize the obstacles people face in their everyday lives to achieve positive health outcomes and healthy lifestyles regardless of race, economic status or physical ability.

Policies can range from formal legislation to community outreach efforts and have impact beyond health care. Social environment, economic stability, health care access and food security are some of the many factors impacting the overall wellness of individuals and communities.

For example, city planners include sidewalks in development plans because they promote increased walking, accessibility and improved safety measures, creating a positive impact on public health.

Any policy, whether local, state or federal, with potential to improve health is considered a health policy. The Chickasaw Nation Office of Health Policy monitors policy at all levels and examines how it may impact tribal nations and especially Chickasaw citizens.

Our Core Focus Areas

To ensure we effectively monitor and shape these efforts, the Office of Health Policy is guided by four foundational pillars:

• Promotion of Health: Sharing health information with Chickasaw citizens to enhance their health.
• Policy: Following legislation and interim studies pertaining to health of First Americans.
• Education: Communicating public health issues with policy implications.
• Advocacy: Supporting the trust, moral and legal obligation of government-to-government relations.

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