APHA Overview

Association Overview

The American Public Health Association (APHA) is a non-partisan, non-profit professional membership association. One of the oldest and largest organizations of public health professionals in the world, APHA represents more than 50,000 members from over 50 occupations of public health. Since 1872, APHA has been influencing policies and setting priorities in public health.

APHA brings together researchers, health service providers, administrators, teachers and other health workers in a unique, multidisciplinary environment of professional exchange, study and action. The Association is concerned with a broad set of issues affecting personal and environmental health. Its top priorities include improving access to care, improving the public health infrastructure and eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities.

APHA Mission

To improve the public's health, promote the scientific and professional foundation of public health practice and policy, advocate the conditions for a healthy society, emphasize prevention and enhance the ability of members to promote and protect environmental and community health.

Products and Services

Annual Meeting - More than 13,000 public health professionals attend the APHA Annual Meeting, which is the largest public health conference in the world. At the meeting, more than 900 scientific sessions provide the latest research in public health science and practice and over 600 exhibits display state-of-the-art public health products and services. Future meetings will be held in San Diego, Oct. 25-29, 2008, and Philadelphia, Nov. 7-11, 2009.

American Journal of Public Health - APHA's journal is the No. 1 publication dedicated to original work in research, research methods and program evaluation in the field of public health. This prestigious, peer-reviewed journal also regularly publishes authoritative editorials and commentaries and serves as a forum for the analysis of health policy.

The Nation's Health - As the official award-winning newspaper of APHA, The Nation's Health reaches more than 30,000 readers each month. The Nation's Health focuses on public health issues at the federal, state and local level, delivering the latest news to public health professionals, legislators and the public.

Books - As one of the foremost publishers on public health topics, APHA maintains a substantial book development and publishing function. Its more than 50 titles include many that promulgate national and international public health standards, such as Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products and Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual is the world's most widely recognized resource on infectious disease.

Public Health CareerMart - APHA's public health career resource center allows users to find or post a job online and access career development information. Employers can place their employee search to fill openings with their organizations while job seekers can post their resumes and search for available positions within the field of public health.

Advocacy - APHA monitors and evaluates the dynamic social, political, scientific and global environment of public health for its members and the public they serve. The Association is the preeminent advocate on behalf of sound policy and effective practice in public health.

Continuing Education - To stay abreast of professional developments, public health professionals can receive accredited continuing education in seven disciplines through the Annual Meeting or APHA's Journal-Based Education program.

Membership

APHA's 30,000 members represent a wide range of public health professionals and students. Another 20,000 public health workers are affiliated with APHA through our 53 affiliated state public health associations.

Organizational Components

Sections and SPIGs - Sections are the basic organizational unit of APHA's membership. The 25 discipline-based Sections and the seven Special Primary Interest Groups (SPIGs) enable members to share knowledge and experience with their peers, develop new techniques and contribute to the growing body of scientific knowledge within those respective fields.

Sections:

SPIGs:

Leadership

• Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), Executive Director
• J. Alan Baker, Chief of Staff
• Susan L. Polan, PhD, Associate Executive Director, Public Affairs and Advocacy
• Linda Degutis, DrPH, MSN, President
• Deborah Klein Walker, EdD, Immediate Past President        
• Cheryl Easley, PhD RN, President-elect