title: Shifting public health practice to advance health equity: recommendations from experts and community leaders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While the evidence base regarding the social determinants of health and their relationship to health inequities grows, the field of public health is challenged to translate this knowledge into practice changes that advance health equity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Drawing on the knowledge, beliefs, and experiences of public health experts and community leaders working to advance health equity, our objective was to develop and disseminate recommendations for changing public health practice to better address this problem.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted semistructured, qualitative telephone interviews (n = 25) with key informants. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data were coded and analyzed using both inductive and deductive methods. Member checks were used to enhance quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  A purposeful sample of key informants was selected from content experts and community leaders involved with the development of the Unnatural Causes public impact campaign. Participants represented state and local health departments, community-based organizations, national research/advocacy organizations, and academic institutions across the country.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants distinguished between social determinants of health and their structural precursors in social and political institutions. They believed that the field of public health has an obligation to address health inequities and shifts in practice are needed that focus more attention on societal factors that underlie such inequities. According to participants, specific practice changes are difficult to identify because actions should be community specific and community driven. Recommended approaches that may be adapted to community-based needs and assets include building nontraditional partnerships, engaging in political advocacy, promoting community leadership, collecting better data on social conditions and institutional factors, and enhancing communication for health equity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recommended shifts in practice may be facilitated by revisiting our understanding of the 3 core functions of public health-assessment, assurance, and policy development.
authors.affiliation: Center for Community Research and Service, School of Public Policy and Administration, University of Delaware, Newark.
authors.forename: Erin K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Knight
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011057:Politics; D015980:Public Health Practice / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D064890:Social Determinants of Health; D012935:Social Justice