Effective Narratives and Strategies from Successful Social Change Movements to Inform Public Health

Racism is an underlying cause of health inequities and is entrenched in health systems, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. Advancing health equity requires reimagining health systems to uproot racism from health-related policymaking. Racism, in its systemic, cultural, and interpersonal forms, remains a significant threat to health equity, a barrier to reform, and a public health crisis. This review draws lessons from US social movements-including tobacco control, sexual and gender minority rights, criminal justice reform, civil rights, and reproductive justice-to identify effective strategies for change. Drawing on key theories, typologies, and insights from the literature, we examine how organizing, messaging, and mobilization have shaped narratives, have fostered public will, and have driven policy reform. Prior movements can serve as a guide for the development and implementation of a social change movement aimed at addressing racism in public health.