Well-constructed public policy is necessary to help promote the health and well-being of the population. However, twenty-first century America is marked by deep and seemingly incommensurable divisions in terms of public policy solutions to our most intractable issues. Health policy challenges are not immune to these deep divisions, as the debate during and since the passage of the Affordable Care Act illustrates. Positions on key public policy issues are driven by a variety of philosophical and social. In this continuing education offering, Dr. Grant R. Martsolf explores conceptual foundations of how we understand health and well-being and the ways in which government and society attempt to support citizens toward achieving a capacious vision of health.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the central features distinguishing liberal democracy in America
• Describe major challenges that face American democracy in addressing a full concept of health and flourishing
• Discuss how the concept of solidarity impacts American democracy and our attempts to improve health and flourishing
• Discuss how the weakening of American institutions threaten flourishing