One major advantage to membership in APHA exists with being a part of the largest professional public health organization with lobbying clout. While any individual in the democratic United States can be “heard” by calling or writing their local congressional representatives, APHA affords its members an amplifier of sorts: it can rally members to advocate together, thus increasing the advocacy volume on an issue. A policy statement on a public health issue by a Section serves as the foundation for APHA’s efforts and provides a historical record. The question remains: how does one go about getting APHA to support a policy statement? This article will overview the major steps to developing a policy or to modifying an existing policy in such a manner as to garner APHA and its ample affiliates and members’ formal support.

Step #1: Refer to APHA’s website. APHA has a formal system of procedures by which new policies or amendments to existing ones may be introduced by any section according to a set calendar (http://www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/). Its website provides a policy submission checklist (http://www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/resources.htm), which also outlines the major steps in the policy development process.

Step #2: Check APHA’s policy statement database. This step will help one identify policy statements that were previously supported by APHA. If a previous policy statement exists, one may consider updating or amending it.

Step #3: Collaborate. Getting APHA’s formal endorsement of a policy statement requires a network of supporters from APHA’s 30,000 individual members, 20,000 state and local affiliate members, and 27 sections.

Step #4: Link new or modified policy efforts with an APHA priority or policy gap. Some public health issues may already be identified by APHA as a policy target.

Step #5: Provide an evidence-base. APHA requires that a policy statement be credible based on sound scientific evidence.

Step #6: Follow the policy development format. Do not let your policy get ignored because of a technical error in not following format protocols. The formatting refers to the content of the policy statement as well as its references.

In closing, on behalf of the A&PH Section, I ask you: what is your public health issue? Now, I challenge you: Take a stance. Network within and between sections. Write a formal policy statement and be a part of the APHA policy development process. The public health of our nation will be better for your advocacy efforts!

Lené Levy-Storms, PhD, MPH
A&PH Chair Elect