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Issue Brief Mechanisms for Advancing Health EquityMechanisms for Advancing Public Health

­Difficult Conversations: Context and Considerations for Equity Officers and Their Legal Counsel­

June 24, 2026

by Phyllis Jeden, and Emma Kaeser

Overview

The current legal and policy landscape has fueled anxiety and confusion for those involved in work related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), as well as those who provide them with legal counsel. This issue brief was developed to support these difficult conversations. It provides a high-level overview of changes to the DEIA landscape in recent years, a brief introduction to the concept of the “chilling effect,” as well as some items to consider prior to and during these discussions.