Health and Safety

APHA is committed to providing a professional, safe, productive and welcoming meeting experience that enables all attendees to engage fully. You may notice some security and policy changes this year to ensure that all of our members are, and feel, safe. 

By registering, you acknowledge that you derive personal benefit from your attendance at this in-person meeting and willingly engage in the Annual Meeting. All attendees are required to abide by these policies.  

Washington, D.C. Update

Through November 2025, the federal government will oversee the Metropolitan Police Department and the deployment of National Guard troops and federal officers throughout Washington, D.C. As a result, you may notice an increased presence of law enforcement and federal officers in the city.  

APHA 2025 is proceeding as scheduled and we do not anticipate disruptions near the convention center. The APHA team is closely monitoring and rapidly gathering information about the current situation and are working with our local partners to ensure your safety.  

Public health is all about prevention and preparation. The following resources can help you be prepared for APHA 2025 and for uncertainties in life, wherever you live, work and play. 

Know Your Rights: 

• [GUIDE] Know Your Rights During a Disaster: FEMA and Immigration Enforcement: Recent changes in the federal government have renewed concerns and fears over potential immigration enforcement actions during disasters. This has raised questions among some community members about whether they should pursue emergency assistance during and following disasters. This document summarizes what we know now in a Q&A format about immigrant eligibility for emergency services.
• Download this card from iAmerica and save it to your phone. This card can protect you if immigration or the police question you. The card will tell immigration or the police that you are exercising your constitutional rights.

 Traveling Outside the Meeting Venue 

• Take off your name badge when outside the meeting venue.
• Carry at least one form of government ID with a photo with you, such as a driver’s license, Permanent Resident Card, passport or other ID. (Note: you are not required to surrender any documents to a law enforcement officer.)
• Carry your phone and a charger so you can call if you need assistance.
• Let at least one person at the meeting know your whereabouts and check in with them when you return.

Note: The above is information and should not be considered legal advice from APHA. 

 Attendee Safety

Name Badges 

Anyone within the conference space, whether they are an attendee, speaker, staff, volunteer, or vendor, must be credentialed and verified. Only attendees with official APHA conference name badges and staff/vendors with approved name tags are allowed to attend sessions, events, activities and be in the conference space, including hallways and foyers.  

All attendees, including speakers, staff, volunteers, vendors and exhibitors, are required to wear their name badges at all times within the conference area during meeting hours. If you are not a registered attendee, you may register on-site. If you do not wish to register, we will ask you to leave.  

Swapping Name Badges 

We do not allow name badge swaps. If you cannot attend, you cannot give your name badge to a colleague to attend in your stead. Everyone is required to have their own registration. If we notice that you are using someone else’s name badge, we will ask you to go to the registration desk to register or we will ask you to leave.  

Lost or Stolen Items 

The lost and found will be located at the Convention Center information desk in the main lobby. 

Please do not leave valuables, such as your mobile phone, laptop, luggage, wallet or other valuable items unattended. While we will make every effort to assist with recovering lost property, APHA is not responsible for lost or stolen items. 

Medical Emergencies 

A first aid office is located within Hall A on the concourse level for immediate response. If you see an ill or injured person, pick up any Washington Convention Center house phone to dial the Public Safety Command Center at extension x3333 or call 202-249-3333 for public safety. Notify the Command Center of the location of the person requiring medical attention, along with a description of the person and their injury or condition. The Command Center will contact our First Aid or call 9-1-1 and direct first responders to the specific location.  

Protests and Demonstrations 

For the safety of attendees, protests and demonstrations will not be allowed inside the Annual Meeting venues including in meeting rooms, the exhibit hall and public areas. Groups will be asked to leave the building and protest outside to the extent in compliance with Center polices and as permitted under applicable D.C. and federal laws. If demonstrators do not leave, their badges will be revoked for this year, and they will not be able to attend the 2026 Annual Meeting and Expo in San Antionio. 

Health & Well-being

If you are feeling sick, stay at home or in your hotel room. If you feel sick while onsite, there are first aid services available in the Hall A first aid office. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

APHA is not requiring attendees to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. While not required for attendance at APHA 2025, we strongly encourage everyone to get one of the recently approved updated COVID-19 vaccines when available to you. We also recommend everyone receive the flu vaccination and that those would benefit also receive the RSV or any other appropriate respiratory vaccine. 

Mask Policy

Masks are encouraged, but not required. However, this policy is subject to change based on local/state/federal public health guidelines at the time of the meeting. High-quality face masks will be available in registration for individuals who may choose to wear face coverings based on personal/household risk or preference. 

Nearby hospitals, urgent care centers and pharmacies. 

Hospitals 

George Washington University Hospital
900 23rd St NW | +1 (202) 715-5109 

Urgent Care Centers 

GW Primary Care - McPherson Square
1101 15th St NW | +1 (833) 694-9362
 

Pharmacies 

CVS Pharmacy
675 K St NW | +1 (202) 682-0170 

Walgreens Pharmacy
801 7th St NW | +1 (202) 789-5345 

Code of Conduct

APHA will not tolerate harassment, intimidation or discrimination in any form. Inappropriate language and imagery will not be accepted in any of the in-person or virtual event spaces, including, but not limited to: the booth hall, poster hall, networking lounge, chat rooms and social media. 

In response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, APHA reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including deleting posts, immediately removing individuals from the meeting and/or setting restrictions for future APHA meetings and events. 

APHA’s Code of Conduct and Meeting Policies. 

Presentation Policies

The views and opinions expressed by presenters and other participants are not those of APHA, unless expressly indicated otherwise. We come together with diverse experiences and viewpoints. During presentations and conversations, please engage respectfully: listen to understand, challenge ideas (not people) and use considerate language. Harassment, intimidation, or disruptions will not be tolerated. 

Presenter Attestation 

Presenters must attest that they will present content consistent with my accepted abstract. Presenters understand that presenting unrelated material may result in immediate cessation of a presentation and exclusion from this and future events hosted by APHA including future Annual Meetings, Policy Action Institutes and member meetings.  

Communication 

Stay Informed During the Event. APHA will communicate with attendees via email when possible. For real-time updates or emergency notifications: 

• Follow us on social media: #APHA2025 
• Download the mobile app.  

Contact Information 

If you have safety-related questions before the event, feel free to contact us [email protected] . 

If you see something, say something to APHA Staff, WCC/Marriott Security, or local authorities. Call the WCC Public Safety Number at 202-249-3333 so they may alert all members of the safety team.