Last fall, I listened carefully to what members of the Joint Policy Committee had to say at the special session on writing APHA position papers or resolutions at the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. The emphasis was on the paper being well-researched, thoughtful and well-referenced. I reviewed the information on the Web site that discussed the differences between a position paper and a resolution, and read Kathy Witgert’s article in the Winter issue of our newsletter.  The result – in January of this year, I wrote a 19-page position paper with more than 60 references on “Evaluating Community Health Assessments.” After two revisions, I have a much shorter four-page paper titled “Conduct research on to build an evidence-based of effective community health assessment practice” with 40 references.  What I learned from my first experience with writing for APHA is:

1. Keep in Short Stupid (KISS).  In my first version of the position paper, I explained community health assessment, frameworks, and process, and in the revised version, I only mentioned the process, implying those interested in learning more should read the references. I would suggest that APHA's Joint Policy Council recommend a reasonable page limit.
   
2. There is a preference for resolutions, which are more action-oriented, than position statements.
   
3. Recommendations should be listed at the end, rather than in the beginning.
   
4. It is helpful to get buy-in from other sections, and the time to get that is before the Annual Meeting so you can enlist members to be co-authors at the Annual Meeting.
   
5. You can build momentum and excitement if you can build on a current policy activity. As an example of one method of supporting evaluation of community health assessments, I have suggested the legislation exemplified in S.2506/H.R.5088 which calls for assessing the health impact of the built environment on children’s health.
   
6. Confirm that the latest versions of the paper are posted online.

Many thanks to Charles Tresser, Debbie Hettler and Harry Perlstadt for helping with the editing and reviewing process. There are 20 resolutions in four categories in areas related to “health disparities”, “environmental and occupational health”, “access to care”, and “public health science and infrastructure” being considered this year. The resolutions, that can be accessed by APHA members, are at http://www.apha.org/private/2006_proposed_policies/2006_policies.htm