How to Make the Facts Matter: Using Data to Tell Your StoryElizabeth Jacob, Project Director, CityHealth.org

Practical Playbook National Meeting

May, 2016

The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day.

The benefits of exercise include improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of cancer and chronic disease, and improved mood and

mental health.

The Backfire effect: The more you present me with the facts, the

harder I cling to my own beliefs.

So what should you do?

Understand your audience

Tap into their values (spoiler alert:

they may not be what YOU value)

Use stories, relationships, and make

it personal

What is CityHealth?

1. Ten proven policies with the best chances of improving health and well-being in our nation’s big cities—and making them thriving places to live.

2. A policy package that’s the result of extensive research, advice from experts, interviews with high-level city decision makers and focus groups of engaged voters.

3. A 40-city analysis of how cities’ current laws stack up and compare, and where they need to move the dial.

4. An interactive website, and national and regional release events to catalyze cities to be the healthiest places in the nation.

CityHealth Proposed Top Ten Policies

1. Housing: inclusionary zoning

2. Education: universal, high quality pre-k

3. Employment/benefits: earned sick leave

4. Public safety: zoning regulations on alcohol outlet density

5. Active living/transportation: complete streets

6. Safe food: restaurant grading

7. Tobacco control: comprehensive smoking bans

8. Tobacco control: Tobacco 21

9. Nutrition: nutrition standards for city procurement

10. Substance abuse: Naloxone access and 911 Good Samaritan Laws

How will we translate all that data into action?

• Understand our audience (city-level policymakers)

• Understand who (and what) influences their decisions

• Show relatable, real-life examples

• Cultivate champions (usual suspects, grassroots and grass-tops) who can share their stories

Final though

ts

Final Thoughts