CHICAGO, IL — Earlier today the Institute for Responsive Government announced Healthy Democracy Healthy People (HDHP), a nonpartisan initiative of trusted public health organizations, is merging into Responsive Gov. The merger comes as Responsive Gov is actively expanding its portfolio to include broad pro-democracy work, which includes raising awareness about important linkages between health and democratic processes.

“We know the connection between health and democracy is powerful for two reasons. First, when we see government systems such as health insurance delivery work well for people, we see trust in government and participation in our elections rise. Second, we know from a large body of work that when civic engagement increases and communities are able to take part in government,they get what they need to lead longer, healthier lives,” said Sam Oliker-Friedland, executive director of Responsive Gov. “This merger will help us build better government systems and increase public participation. The Healthy Democracy Healthy People team are true experts in public health who share our passion for a stronger democracy.”

As a part of the merger, HDHP’s executive director Jeanne Ayers and partnerships director Gnora Mahs will join Responsive Gov’s team. Ayers will serve as a fellow and Mahs will serve as the health and democracy coalition advisor.

“Healthy Democracy Healthy People started amidst a global pandemic when the connection between health and democracy couldn’t have been more clear. Since our earliest days, the team at Responsive Gov has been among our closest collaborators and most trusted allies in the work to simultaneously advance public health and a strong civil society. We are excited to make our work even stronger by joining this powerhouse institution,” said Ayers.

Responsive Gov will continue to maintain the Health & Democracy Index, an HDHP initiative that has tracked and shown how restrictive voting policies at the state level are directly correlated to both voter turnout and 12 different public health indicators.

To speak with an expert at Responsive Gov about the merger or the intersection between health and democracy, please contact dan@responsivegov.org.