Courtney Bullard, education and collaborations director at Utah Health Policy Project said, "This report gives legislators the unique opportunity to create policies for their constituents that targets the real, underlying conditions that affect health. As this data shows, health outcomes aren't necessarily caused by health-related issues. We have folks come to UHPP to enroll in insurance every day, but that is just one piece of improving someone's health. Where someone lives, what their transportation options are, how close they live to a hospital, if they have access to affordable childcare, healthy food, good air, and education all contribute to their overall health. We have to start crafting policies that connect health to everything else it touches in a person's life."
Ciriac Alvarez Valle, health policy and community engagement fellow at Voices for Utah Children said, “Your zip code should not determine your health. Studies show that what is good for parents is good for their children therefore, it's important for us to address both the needs of parents and children for the overall health of our community. Utah should be a place where families and children can thrive regardless of geography or income among other things. We will continue to work on policies that address the needs of our communities that directly correlate to the health of families like early childhood education, juvenile justice, tax & budget, and ensuring all children have health coverage."
