Leading Systems Change in Public Health

Leading Systems Change in Public Health is the first resource written by public health professionals for public health professionals on how to improve public health by utilizing a systems change lens. Edited by leaders from the de Beaumont Foundation and the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health with chapters written by a diverse array of public health leaders, the book provides an evidence-based framework with practical strategies, processes, and tools for enacting meaningful change. It provides a common language for practitioners to discuss systems thinking and leading systems change and offers key principles for systems change leadership and delivers a framework for individuals and organizations who want to lead systems change. The book also includes public health examples and practical exercises, practices, and tools to engage in leading systems change. The book’s chapters are organized into four sections. Section I shows how to place racial justice and power-sharing at the heart of any systems change leadership work. Section II begins with an overview of the different levels of systems change work on which to focus to ensure the best possible community-based work and community and population outcomes. It also presents a process to develop meaningful interpersonal relationships. Section III addresses the important role of community partnership in leading systems changes and describes the process for identifying the root challenges associated with the complex public health challenges. It considers issues related to planning for systems change, managing the implementation of the change, and building in a process to learn and adapt. Section IV provides real-world examples and a strong sense of the range of systems change leadership actions at national, state, local, and community levels.