About Us
Health & Democracy is a nonpartisan not-for-profit initiative supported by the Institute for Responsive Government (the Institute). The work of Health & Democracy partners initially began in 2020 when health and civic engagement leaders and elections officials came together to respond to the threat of COVID-19. These emerging cross-sectoral relationships highlighted new opportunities to improve health by collectively promoting an inclusive, representative democracy. Initially launched as Healthy Democracy Healthy People, the initiative merged with the Institute in 2024.
Gnora Mahs
Health & Democracy Coalitions Advisor
Gnora Mahs, DrPh, is a public health leader whose work has been focused on strengthening the health sector’s capacity to serve as champions for a more inclusive and representative democracy. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University, she began her professional career as a community organizer, focusing on grassroots movements for health equity initiatives and voting rights in Oregon. Gnora earned her graduate degrees from the George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health in the Department of Health Policy and Management, where she was awarded a University Fellowship. Her published research has focused on the relationship between voting, electoral policies, and health.
Jeanne Ayers
Fellow
Jeanne Ayers, R.N. MPH, is focused on assuring the conditions necessary for health are available to everyone, everywhere. She has served in leadership roles in public health, healthcare and university settings for over 30 years. She founded Healthy Democracy Healthy People, (HDHP), a coalition of 11 public health organizations committed to strengthening civic and voter participation as a pathway to improving health outcomes. HDHP recently merged with Health & Democracy, Institute for Responsive Government (Responsive Gov) where Jeanne continues as a Fellow. Prior to establishing HDHP in 2020, Ayers held leadership roles in state governmental public health as the Wisconsin State Health Officer and Assistant Commissioner and Chief Health Equity Strategist for the Minnesota Department of Health. Prior positions include director of nursing, preventive services and occupational health at the University of Minnesota, Boynton Health Service. She directed professional continuing medical education for 15 years and founded the Centers for Public Health Education and Outreach at the School of Public Health, University of Minnesota.