New APHA movement to engage Americans in public health: Plans for national initiative under way
APHA is taking steps to create a national movement that will enable Americans to protect themselves, their families and communities from preventable, serious health threats.
The movement, which will rely on collaborations with new and current partners, is also designed to engage APHA members and strengthen Affiliates.
“This is not a one-time project or program,” said said APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP. “Through sustainable public health partnerships, we will be able to improve the lives of Americans and their communities.”
While the key goal of the initiative will be to help people improve their health, it will also enable the public to understand what public health is. Surveys have shown that while most Americans don’t recognize what the term “public health” means, they appreciate the services provided via the public health system and the impact public health has on their lives. In fact, a 2004 poll released by Research!America and APHA found that 74 percent of Americans surveyed believed that they or their communities have benefited from public health services such as childhood immunizations, restaurant inspections, emergency family violence hotlines and day care safety checks.
Even broader recognition of public health could lead to increased support for public health services, which in turn would lead to improved health for all Americans.
“This will generate a new relationship that can support the cause and mission of public health,” said APHA Executive Board member Terri Wright, MPH, who is chair of an Executive Board committee that is developing plans for the movement.
Plans for the multi-year APHA initiative call for a central public health message or focus that will be conveyed to Americans — for example, the importance of prevention, the threat of influenza or need for health insurance for all. Outreach, campaigns and materials could then be developed around the focus and be used to engage and educate the public. The movement’s first focus has not been determined, but with input from APHA members, organizers will work in coming months to determine exactly what it will be.
“Our initial focus should not only be of great importance to public health, but lay the foundation of partnerships that allow us to pursue future national, state and local public health priorities,” Benjamin said.
Collaboration will be key to the success of the APHA-led movement, which will include participation from national, state and local partners, including APHA’s 53 affiliated state and local public health associations, as well as fellow public health organizations. Community-level public health partners, such as churches, schools or businesses, will also have an important role to play in bringing the movement to the local level.
Also critical to the success of the movement will be APHA members, who have a wealth of experience in taking action in support of public health. APHA’s Sections, Special Primary Interest Groups, Caucuses and the Student Assembly will play key roles as well.
“We will take the knowledge and research that is necessary to improve the public’s health and share it with a wide range of partners,” Benjamin said. “This is a great way for APHA members to be actively engaged in advocacy as well as build new public health coalitions and support in their own communities.”
Plans for the movement were aired during APHA’s 133rd Annual Meeting in Philadelphia in December at meetings of APHA’s Executive Board, Intersectional Council and Committee on Affiliates. The movement, initially referred to as “cause development,” was also discussed at a special town hall session. Feedback from the meetings showed that APHA members are interested in the idea of reaching out to Americans on public health and engaging them on the issue.
The next steps for the movement, are to develop an initial focus, gain support of partners and communicate plans with APHA members. Updates on the movement will be featured in The Nation’s Health and discussed with Association members as the work
progresses.
“This will be the breath that will give life to public health in the future,” Wright said. “It will make public health tangible for the average, non-public health person.”
For more information on the movement, e-mail alan.baker@apha.org or call (202) 777-2445.
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