Despite being one of the richest countries in the world per capita, the U.S. experiences significant health disparities that are based in social, economic and environmental factors. In a landmark 2016 JAMA study that examined the association between income and life expectancy, researchers found that the richest American men lived 15 years longer than the poorest men, while the richest American women lived 10 years longer than the poorest women. Public health research shows that addressing the social determinants of health can have a major impact on improving population health and decreasing health disparities.
For more information about CHA's activities and positions on this issue, see the CHA policy brief.
117th Congress
11/18/2022
Joint Letter on Anti-Tobacco Funding
11/18/2022
Joint Letter on CDC Funding
09/12/2022
Joint Letter Supporting a Nicotine Standard
06/15/2022
CHA Letter to Senate on Gun Violence Legislation
06/15/2022
Joint Letter Opposing Provisions to Weaken Tobacco Oversight
06/01/2022
CHA Letter on Gun Violence
05/27/2022
CHA Letter on Social Determinants Legislation
04/28/2022
Joint Letter on Gun Violence Research
04/22/2022
Joint letter on Prohibiting Menthol Cigarettes
04/19/2022
Letter on CDC Smoking & Health Funding
03/23/2022
CHA Letter on Continued Reconciliation Priorities
03/08/2022
Joint Letter Urging Action on Synthetic Nicotine
12/10/2021
CHA Letter to Senate on Build Back Better Legislation
11/10/2021
Joint Letter on FY2023 Tobacco Reduction Funding
09/07/2021
CHA Letter on Reconciliation Package Priorities
07/23/2021
CHA Supports Tobacco Tax Equity Act
07/07/2021
Joint letter on FDA Authority Over Tobacco
06/24/2021
CHA Letter to Congress on Infrastructure Package Priorities
06/14/2021
Joint Letter on Housing Priorities for Infrastructure Package
04/16/2021
CHA Supports Black Maternal Health Act
04/08/2021
Joint Letter to Administration on Housing Funding
03/26/2021
Joint Letter on Funding for Firearm Morbidity and Prevention Research
03/24/2021
Joint Letter on Maternal and Child Health Block Grant
03/09/2021
CHA Supports Bipartisan Background Checks Act
03/03/2021
Coalition Letter on Banning Menthol Additives
116th Congress
12/17/2020
Joint Letter Urging Eviction Moratorium Extension
11/11/2020
Joint Letter to FDA on Menthol Cigarettes
08/06/2020
Joint Letter on Housing Funding in COVID Relief Bill
07/16/2020
CHA Opposes Tobacco Amendments to Agriculture Appropriations
04/16/2020
Joint Letter on Housing Assistance in Coronavirus Relief Package
04/13/2020
Addressing Housing Instability and Homelessness During and After the COVID-19 Crisis
03/12/2020
CHA Supports Housing Assistance in Coronavirus Response
02/04/2020
CHA Supports Reversing Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act
12/03/2019
Joint Comments on Proposed SNAP Rule
11/17/2019
CHA Supports Gun Background Check Legislation
10/29/2019
Joint Letter Urging Removal of Mint E-Cigarettes
10/16/2019
Coalition Letter Supporting Prohibition of Menthol Cigarettes
09/23/2019
Joint Comments on Changes to SNAP Eligibility
07/03/2019
Joint Comments on Proposed HUD Mixed Status Rule
07/03/2019
Background Information on Mixed Status Rule
06/21/2019
CHA Comments on Proposed Change in Poverty Measures
06/06/2019
CHA Supports Tobacco to 21 Act
02/21/2019
Joint Letter Supporting Gun Violence Research
115th Congress
07/11/2018
CHA Supports the Stretching Entity Resources for Vulnerable (SERV) Communities Act
02/17/2018
Faiths United Parkland school shooting statement
02/12/2018
Summary of President's FY18 Budget Proposal
11/16/2017
Catholic Letter on Climate Change
11/09/2017
Joint Letter on Gun Violence
07/18/2017