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Achieving a Healthy Oklahoma

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health launched the Achieving a Healthy Oklahoma initiative (Flagship AHO) through the Center for Public Health Practice. The Flagship AHO project established a foundation for public health improvement with the intent that the Overview, Action Guide, and Recommendation (OAR 2022-2023) resource would be updated annually to provide stakeholders with an up-to-date, community-informed, actionable resource. 

The Flagship AHO project also evaluated the 2021-2022 public health policy environment in research and practice regarding critical issues discussed by participants. The Center will continue to monitor proposed public health policies but may not continue to produce an updated policy recommendation document annually.

To achieve a healthy Oklahoma, all sectors and communities must work in cooperation with one another. By recognizing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, across many groups of stakeholders, we can reduce duplication of efforts, eliminate gaps in existing systems, and establish a strong foundation and network of services that improve health outcomes for all Oklahomans.


AHO Documents

Achieving a Healthy Oklahoma Policy Recommendations

Overview, Action Guide, and Recommendations 

Flagship AHO Goals

  1. To assess lessons learned in Oklahoma from COVID-19
  2. To set the foundation for enhanced public-private community collaboration by developing overarching recommendations and policy recommendations to prepare for future public health crises and promote health across all major economic sectors 
     

Flagship AHO Overarching Recommendations

  1. State and local health departments should optimize and innovate emergency responses by identifying key public and private partnerships
  2. Policymakers should pursue sustainable funding for state and local health departments to strengthen public-private partnerships
  3. A statewide hub should be developed to aid with public health preparedness by focusing on communication, policy, workforce development, cross-sector collaboration, technological innovation, grant opportunities, and evaluation of emergency response efforts
  4. Multi-sector data systems should be modernized 

Flagship AHO Policy Recommendations

  1. Invest in the future of Oklahoma’s health workforce with the Oklahoma Public Health and Health Care Loan Repayment Program. 
  2. Incentivize higher education institutions in Oklahoma to partner with the state and local health departments to provide annual workforce data and develop career learning opportunities to engage students in health sectors. 
  3. Strengthen the delivery of coordinated health services for local communities during emergencies and daily operations. 
  4. Invest in preparedness now so that Oklahoma is a national leader during the next public health emergency. 
  5. Request community health status assessments annually to support data-driven and cross-sector policy collaboration. 
  6. Incentivize partnerships across public and private sectors and stakeholders. 

Achieving a Healthy Oklahoma: Cross-Sector Cooperation to Improve Public Health Preparedness and Pandemic Response

If you want to achieve a healthy Oklahoma, connect with us by clicking here or email CPHPractice@ouhsc.edu.

Group Photo

Dr Cox Presentation