Population & Public Health
States have a critical role to play in developing public health systems that protect and improve health at the community and population levels by preventing disease and promoting healthy behaviors. States can develop policies and initiatives to educate the public, support community programs, prepare for and prevent infectious disease outbreaks, prevent injuries, and ensure safe environments.
NASHP creates opportunities to engage groups of influential state officials, including Governor’s policy advisors, public health directors and staff, and Medicaid and CHIP leadership more fully in chronic disease prevention and health promotion. NASHP has analyzed state efforts focused on specific chronic diseases, such as obesity, and also worked with states focused on broad health reform initiatives to examine how they have addressed chronic disease prevention to improve health outcomes and contain costs in the long term.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
