Vision Care

The Vision Care Section promotes health and well-being with an emphasis on vision and eye health through interdisciplinary partnerships. The Section serves as an advocate to ensure equality in and access to vision and eye health care as well as to ensure inclusion of vision in public health policy.

About 

The Vision Care Section (VCS) was founded in 1979 through the perseverance of committed eye-care and public health professionals who recognized the vital role of vision in overall health and well-being. The Section brings together a multidisciplinary membership dedicated to the public health aspects of vision care, including promoting eye-health equity, advancing research, and advocating for accessible vision services across all populations.

Our Mission is to promote health and well-being with an emphasis on vision and eye health through interdisciplinary collaborations. ensuring that vision care is an essential part of healthcare and integrated into public health policy.

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Our Vision is to be the nation's leader in advocating for and ensuring that eye and vision care are universally recognized as critical components of healthcare.

Our Work

We address vision and eye health issues resulting from public health challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration between eye care professionals and various public health advocates.

The section is the nation’s leader in public health policy, ensuring that eye and vision care are an essential part of all Americans' healthcare. To date, the VCS has sponsored more than 30 resolutions and policies that are fully supported by APHA, all of which have been instrumental in federal and state advocacy efforts. Recent resolutions address childhood eye care, increasing access to vision rehabilitation, safeguarding eye care in disaster preparedness, and improving access to vision care in community health centers

Our members 

The VCS provides an opportunity for all groups involved in vision care to join forces, guide policy, and effect change. Section membership has consisted of nurses, health educators, health planners, hearing specialists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and vision screening administrators dedicated to the public health aspects of vision care. We embrace all professionals and trainees interested in eye care and health. Professional members from the US and throughout the world bring a global perspective to the Section’s work.

Member Benefits

Aside from your  APHA Membership Perks, here are the top reasons you should join the VC Section

• Shape the Future of Public Health Vision Care
  Contribute to a legacy of advancing eye health and equity at the population level.
• Strengthen Your Voice in National Policy
  Advocate for vision-friendly policies and help shape APHA’s priorities on a national scale.
• Connect with a Vibrant Network of Changemakers
  Collaborate with leading professionals, researchers, educators, and students, both nationally and globally.
• Advance Your Career Through Professional Development
  Gain access to exclusive workshops, webinars, and CE credit opportunities 
• Share and Showcase Your Work
  Present your research, lead abstract reviews, and participate in the APHA Annual Meeting, one of the most respected public health conferences.
• Enhance Your Professional Reputation
  Membership signals your commitment to evidence-based, equity-focused public health practice.

Join Us!

Your participation is vital to our continued success. Become an active member of the Section when you join APHA. If you are already an APHA member, you can join as your second Section for no additional cost by updating your member profile.

Attend Events

Check out the APHA calendar for upcoming Section events and browse our sessions at the 2025 APHA Annual Meeting and Expo.

UPCOMING Webinars:  coming soon!

PAST EVENTS: coming soon!

Visit on APHA LEAD

Members can visit us on APHA LEAD to learn about upcoming events, join in discussions with other Section members, and access our Section’s resource library.

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