Title: You, too, can be an Advocate!

Author:

Section/SPIG: HIV/AIDS

Issue Date:

 
Working with APHA is yet another way to make sure your voice is heard. During our mid-year Section Meeting last May, several of our members went to Capitol Hill to meet with their legislator's staff . We emphasized APHA's three legislative priorities for the year – health disparities, infrastructure and access to care – and current HIV "hot topics." We all thought this was very worthwhile to do, and we hope that more members will participate next year. Remember, advocacy is not the same as lobbying, so this is an activity that everyone should consider doing. At the most basic level, our elected officials work for us – and they need education on what's important to us.

APHA has really stepped us their grassroots activity – and many thanks go to Lakitia Mayo, Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Affiliate Affairs for all the work she did in setting up our meetings and preparing packets of information to hand out at our meetings and to prepare us for our visits.

The following information describes the tools that are available to us – so please read about them, visit the Web sites and sign up to stay informed!

APHA'S E-ADVOCACY TOOL
http://www.capwiz.com/apha/home/
In January 2003 APHA purchased its first e-advocacy tool to help mobilize its members to send letters to their members of Congress electronically. In June APHA used its e-advocacy tool to rally more than 1,500 public health professionals to send electronic letters to their members of Congress. As members become comfortable with this tool, APHA anticipates that these numbers will dramatically increase.

This tool has many great features that we encourage all members and public health professionals to use when advocating on behalf of a public health issue. These resources include:


  • Mega Vote: Sign up to receive a weekly email on how your Senators and Representative voted during the week on important issues.

  • Elected Official Finder: Find biographical information on elected officials including the president, members of congress and agency heads.

  • Issues and Legislation: You will find Capitol Hill Basics, pending public health legislation and key public health votes.

  • Media Guide: Send electronic letters to the editor on issues important to public health directly to your local media outlets with APHA's media advocacy tool.

  • Legislative Action Center: See the latest APHA Action Alerts. Send e-mails to your members of Congress on legislation important to APHA.


    • JOIN APHA'S LEGISLATIVE NETWORK
    http://www.apha.org/legislative/
    APHA staff works hard to ensure that public health is being fairly represented on Capitol Hill. More than ever, this is a critical time for public health and public health professionals. APHA needs your help to ensure that our needs and accomplishments are being recognized on Capitol Hill. The most powerful message a member of Congress receives comes from a constituent in his/her home district. That is why it is essential that APHA have a legislative advocacy network. APHA has a strong membership base, and it is paramount to show our association's power by intensifying our advocacy efforts. Having a network of public health professionals willing to take action is essential to ensuring that the legislative priorities of APHA are addressed. While APHA will continue to request that its membership as a whole take action on issues affecting public health, the legislative network will serve as the "grasstops" of APHA entire Advocacy network. Join Now!

    APHA appreciates the advocacy efforts of its members and the entire public health community on issues that ultimately affect all of America. Members of APHA can view a more in-depth weekly legislative update on APHA's Web site.