The #RaiseOurHands campaign is all about encouraging everyone to get involved in the wellbeing of our Des Moines communities, from voting to volunteering, from attending city council meetings to grabbing coffee with your legislator. There’s so much you can do to change things for the better — and we want to share what people like you are doing to make it happen.  

Use hashtag #RaiseOurHands to post pics or videos on social media of you or others getting involved for a stronger community! We’ll display them here to inspire others to make a difference. 

Civic Engagement’s Role in Health

What Individuals Can Do to Help Improve Community Health

Individuals play a crucial role in improving community health through civic engagement. Here are several nonpartisan ways you can get involved:

Vote:

1. Vote for candidates who support initiatives and policies that will help improve the health and wellbeing of all who live in your community.

2. Help family, friends, and neighbors to make a plan to vote and do it!

3. Consider running for office!

Voice:

1. Speak up for health issues that affect the community by writing letters to local officials, attending town hall meetings, or joining advocacy groups focused on healthcare access, environmental health, or other relevant topics.

2. Advocate for policies and practices that promote health equity and address disparities based on race, ethnicity, gender, income or other factors affecting access to healthcare and health outcomes.

3. Share accurate health information from credible sources with friends, family, and neighbors.

4. Answer surveys for local health studies or research projects that aim to improve understanding of health issues affecting the community. These are often conducted by your county public health department, clinics, or universities.

Volunteer:

1. Seek opportunities to represent your communities on civic boards or commissions – like the school board, park board, or human rights commission. These are the places where the decisions closest to our communities are made.

2. Offer time and skills to local organizations that focus on health-related activities such as community health fairs, vaccination drives, or health education programs.

3. Participate in local health-related events, fundraisers, or campaigns organized by community groups, places of worship, non-profits, or healthcare providers.

4. Start or join efforts to address specific health concerns in your neighborhood or community, such as safe playgrounds, strong schools, or better access to healthcare services.

Disenfranchisement’s Impact on Civic Engagement

Historical disenfranchisement means that certain groups of people were unfairly kept from having the same rights and opportunities as others. For example, voting rights for marginalized communities were limited through laws and practices such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and voter ID laws. This unfair treatment still has effects on those groups today, affecting policy decisions on health, housing, education, and economic opportunities.

Felony Limitations: Until recently, Iowa was one of the few states that permanently excluded individuals with felony convictions from voting. In 2020, voting rights were restored for most Iowans with felony convictions, however, many remain unaware of the change.

Voter ID Laws: Iowa’s voter ID laws create barriers that decrease voter turnout and reduce engagement in the political process. These laws unequally affect communities of color, low-income, and young voters.

Limiting Voting Hours and locations: In 2024, the Iowa legislature passed a bill that set an earlier deadline for requesting absentee ballots and banned ballot dropboxes. These measures disproportionately affect people living in rural communities, who lack reliable transportation, and/or work in jobs that don’t allow time off for voting.

Education Gaps: Lower civic education quality in schools leads students to be less informed about their rights and less likely to participate in voting and advocacy.

Systemic racism: Communities of color have often faced unfair treatment, making it hard for them to trust the government and political systems. This lack of trust can lead to less participation in voting and community activities.

Economic Barriers: Income and job barriers, such as low wages or working multiple jobs, limit individuals from participating in civic activities. Additionally, Iowa recently cut polling times by 1 hour, impacting those who struggle to take time off.

Solutions

1. Embracing the Gifts of Diversity: Civic engagement works best when we recognize and use the unique talents and strengths that everyone in the community brings.
2. Realizing the Role of Race, Power, and Injustice: It’s important to understand and talk about how racism and unfair power dynamics affect people’s lives and their involvement in the community.
3. Invitation and Listening: We should always include and listen to everyone in the community, especially those who often feel left out.
4. Trust-Building and Commitment: Building trust in the community means keeping promises, working together, and making sure everyone has a voice.
5. Honoring Dissent and Embracing Protest: We should respect different opinions and support peaceful protests, as they help us learn more about our community and its needs.
6. Adaptability to Community Change: Civic engagement requires being open to changes in the community and working together to handle these changes in a fair way.

Source: Kirwan Institute

The Role of Community Health Workers