2026 Health Policy, Politics, and Population Health: Understanding the Political Determinants of Health

Registration is required for all live Accredited CME Events. Please be sure to register to receive the CME credit for this activity. 

The activity is particularly relevant for clinicians, educators, healthcare leaders, and trainees seeking to better understand the upstream factors that influence health outcomes and health equity. Although healthcare professionals are well trained to diagnose and treat disease, many have received limited formal education on the political determinants of health—the public policies, governance structures, and political processes that shape the social conditions in which people live and ultimately influence health outcomes. This educational gap can limit clinicians' ability to recognize the root causes of health disparities, participate in systems-based practice, and engage effectively in advocacy and policy discussions that affect patient and community health.

1. Analyze the relationship between healthcare spending and population health outcomes in the United States.
2. Differentiate between the social determinants of health and the political determinants of health.
3. Interpret the philosophical and ethical assumptions underlying the role of government in promoting public health.
4. Assess the influence of geographic, community characteristics, and structural factors on health outcomes.
5. Examine the role of healthcare professionals as advocates, ethical leaders, and informed participants in health policy.
6. Explain Dawes' vision for achieving a more equitable healthcare system and identify the political and policy changes necessary to improve population health.

Physician Credit

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) through the joint providership of Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals and North Central College. Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals is accredited by the ISMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Other Participant Credit

Other participants will also receive a Certificate of Participation. For information on the applicability and acceptance of certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME/ISMS, please consult your professional licensing board.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

The planners, faculty, and others in control of content have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. The Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals CME Program adheres to the ISMS/ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individual in a position to control the content of a CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies (commercial interests).

Member Information

Role in activity

Nature of Relationship(s) / Name of Ineligible Company(s)

Mary Groll, MD
Dean, School of Education and Health Sciences
North Central College

Activity Administrator

Nothing to disclose

Daniel Dawes, JD
Founding Dean, School of Global Health, Senior Vice President
Meharry Medical College

Faculty

Nothing to disclose