Depolarization Through Public-Sector Leadership Development: Emerging Leaders and Fellows Programs, United States, 2015‒2024.

Abstract

Directing depolarization efforts toward those with authority over public health funding and population health policies has great potential to improve health outcomes. Two nonpartisan legislative and executive branch state leadership programs demonstrated personal growth and mutual respect among participants necessary for depolarization that was evidenced by cross-state and cross-party policy implementation. Intentional cohort selection of politically and demographically diverse participants, ground rules based on fundamental values, and curriculum emphasizing collective problem-solving built trust and curiosity despite differing viewpoints. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. 2025;115(4):484-488. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308004).