NACDD is pleased to release Accelerating Population Health: Recommendations for Action, Resources, and Case Stories from the 2018 NACDD GEAR Groups. This document is a compilation of resources shared through 2018 NACDD Generate, Educate, Activate, and Respond (GEAR) Groups, which focused on Accelerating Population Health.

GEAR Groups are NACDD’s professional development and leadership offering designed to provide peer-to-peer learning on various strategies that influence the health of populations. The 2018 GEAR Groups worked collectively across four domain areas and on the topic of health equity to draft these resources during their discussions over a six-month period. Additionally, the group developed a statement on population health that is provided along with recommendations for action, resources, and a series of case studies illustrating how State Health Departments are applying strategies to accelerate population health. Each case study highlights the actions, impact, challenges, successes, and includes contact information for the individuals implementing these promising population health practices. The document closes with a brief call to action and acknowledges the exceptional work of the 2018 GEAR Group members. State, Local, and Territorial Health Departments are encouraged to use this document as a guide for implementing promising or innovative population health strategies.  

 The 2018 NACDD GEAR Group focus on “Accelerating Population Health” was inspired by the CDC Preventing Chronic Disease article “Public Health 3.0: A Call to Action for Public Health to Meet the Challenges of the 21^st Century” andformerNACDD Board President’s challenge to all Members to “Accelerate Population Health.” Improving population and public health outcomes require enhanced collaboration across public health, the healthcare delivery system, and the broader community.