Title: Advocacy and Action with APHA

Author:

Section/SPIG: HIV/AIDS

Issue Date:

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The Action Board really began to focus on grassroots organizing in 2003. Advocacy efforts focused on APHA's three priority areas for the year that will continue in 2004: Access to Health Care; Health Disparities; and Public Health Infrastructure. Members received action alerts, fact sheets were created for the priority areas, Hill visits were coordinated and the website was updated to include the e-advocacy tool to help mobilize members, <http://www.capwiz.com/apha/home>, and APHA's Legislative Network is up and running, <http://www.apha.org/legislative/eform.cfm>. The Action Board is one of APHA's main channels to generate action by the Sections/SPIGS/affiliates and general membership.

Advocacy and action by the HIV/AIDS Section was visible last year. We were one of only four units within APHA to organize Capitol Hill visits during our mid-year Leadership meeting in May 2003. We also met with several CDC staff, including Dr. Janssen, to discuss CDC's Advancing HIV Prevention (AHP) initiative that represents a significant shift in how HIV prevention work is done. This discussion resulted in approval of our request to APHA to schedule a late breaker session during the Annual Meeting (the deadline had passed to submit abstracts at that point and a late breaker session gave us one more "slot" to schedule presenters) to continue discussion on the implications of this initiative.

Education + Action = Advocacy. This is a key point in APHA's Advocacy Manual. The main job of an advocate is to educate policy-makers and the public. This is not the same as a lobbyist, and it is possible for government workers to educate legislators. As public health professionals and HIV activists, we have information that policy-makers need.

Even if your legislator does not support what you do, it's important for them to know that people in the district care about these issues and oppose their position. APHA needs 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.

As 2004 gets under way, there are already several advocacy opportunities waiting for you!

1. Get familiar with what APHA's Web site has to offer. Go to <www.apha.org> and click on the Legislation, Advocacy & Policy link. From there you can take a closer look at the 2004 Priority Issues, the Weekly Legislative Updates, and you can join the Legislative Advocacy Network by choosing your level of involvement - whether it's to participate in meetings, make calls, or write letters. There's a separate section for Action and you can also review APHA's policy statements.

2. National Public Health Week - April 5 - April 11, 2004: Within the Legislation, Advocacy & Policy area, you can learn more about the activities going on around the country. Visit <www.apha.org/nphw>. Sign-up to stay informed!

3. March for Women's Lives [formerly called March for Choice] - April 25, 2004 in Washington D.C.: These issues affect more than half of our population, so go to <www.marchforchoice.org> to read about how you can get involved and take some action!

4. Visits to Capitol Hill: Plans are now under way for the HIV/AIDS Section Leadership meeting to include Hill visits once again. BUT, if any of you find yourselves in DC over the course of the year, perhaps visiting legislators as part of other coalitions, please contact APHA. Staff will provide you with talking points and background information on APHA's priority issues to use during your meetings.

HIV/AIDS is integral to ALL of APHA's priority areas. As we all do what we can for HIV advocacy, whether it's around Ryan White Care Act reauthorization, ADAP, Medicaid or Prevention - please remember that HIV issues serve as a paradigm for challenges faced by Public Health everyday. Let's TAKE ACTION in 2004!