IOM report: All public policy should consider health impact

A new report from the Institute of Medicine argues that all legislation or regulations, at all levels or government, need to consider the impact on the health of citizens (Source: “Lawmakers Urged to Consider Health Effects of Major Legislation,” HealthDay News, June 21, 2011).

“Good health is not merely the result of good medical care but the result of what we do as a society to create conditions in which people can be healthy,” according to the IOM description of the report. “Public policy can be one of the most effective approaches to protecting and improving the health of the population.”

The report also recommended that state and local governments form health councils to work with other public agencies and private and nonprofit groups to develop community health improvement plans.