The Disability Section membership of APHA stands at 248 as of the end of April 2009. We have been able to maintain a fairly constant number ranging between 245 and 260 over the past year. Approximately 76 percent of the membership are regular members, with 14 percent students and about 5 percent retired. This is a particularly important time to belong to APHA as national issues such as health care reform, emergency preparedness and reinvesting in our public health infrastructure and research capacity are discussed in Washington and around the country. These issues directly impact on the quality of life for persons with disabilities, and the Disability Section is committed to serve as a strong voice in the upcoming debates and discussions.

The Section Executive Committee strongly urges those whose professional and personal interests include health and disability to join APHA and the Disability Section. APHA members can now select multiple sections to which they can belong. Membership is particularly affordable for students with a highly subsidized rate of $60. A Disability Section Newsletter, the American Journal of Public Health and The Nation's Health, reduced registration costs to the Annual APHA meeting are some of the benefits. More importantly you will be joining a community that is fully committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities and integrating the needs people with disabilities into this nation’s overall public health agenda.

For more information on joining APHA and the Disability Section go to: http://www.apha.org/about/membership/ and for specific information on the Disability Section go to: http://www.apha.org/membergroups/sections/aphasections/disability/ . If you have specific questions on joining the Section please contact me, Membership Chair George Jesien, at gjesien@aucd.org