Diverse Group People Working Together Concept Community

Deliberative Inquiry

Community conversations using the deliberative inquiry model help local & Tribal health departments solve community problems by focusing on shared values and community health.

19

Wisconsin counties trained

3

Wisconsin hospital systems trained

6

Counties piloting the work

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Overview

Deliberative events unite people, revealing shared values, common ground, and areas of tension on complex issues. However, their full potential is realized when integrated into a broader public engagement approach called deliberative inquiry. This process combines information gathering, deliberative dialogue, and collective decision-making to promote responsible action.

Deliberation is a way for public health professionals and community members to work together.

In 2023, UW-Extension partnered with the Wisconsin Institute of Public Policy and Service, UW Population Health Institute, Wisconsin Public Health Forward/Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards Educators, and local public health officers to pilot deliberative dialogues in three Wisconsin counties. Recognizing the potential of this approach to engage and empower community members and leaders in Community Health Assessments (CHAs) and Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs) we received funding from the Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship & Civil Dialogue to expand on the work across the State.

The goal of the project is to establish and maintain a statewide network of UW-Extension and public health practitioners—including those in urban, rural, and Tribal areas—who are equipped with the expertise, skills, and resources needed to address community health issues through civil dialogue using deliberative inquiry methods. By supporting local and tribal health departments to incorporate deliberative inquiry into CHAs and CHIPs, the project aims to ensure meaningful community participation and empowerment in strategic decision-making.

Group of neighbors take a vote during HOA meeting Mature male HOA president leads his neighbors in a vote during an HOA meeting.

Whom We Serve

Local & Tribal Health Departments

Health Care Systems

Public Health Practitioners

Community Leadership

Ways We Help

Naming and framing public health issues

Issue guide development

Community outreach strategies

Facilitation and support for deliberative dialogues (deliberations)

Planning for collective action

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How It Works

Naming & Framing

Naming and framing complex community health issues to improve the quality of community engagement and civil discourse.

Deliberative Dialogues

Organizing and facilitating deliberative dialogue events.

Responsible Action

Using the results of deliberation to move towards responsible community action.

Success & Impact

Deliberative Dialogue Project: Achieving a Healthy Community for All

Extension partnered with public health organizations statewide and held six deliberative dialogue sessions in three Wisconsin counties. These dialogues were facilitated using an issue guide the group created around what makes communities healthy — without using polarizing language.