Policy Brief Development Process

Proposed Policy Brief Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria

The policy briefs process book, adopted by the Governing Council, gives direction to the Association's policy statement development process by setting forth principles to govern, and outlining procedures to guide, the coordinated participation of all parties. The Author Guidelines outline the required elements of a proposed policy brief. 

Policy Brief Process Book (PDF)

Policy Brief Author Guidelines (PDF)

The Evidentiary Review Committee reviews the proposed policy briefs using the following assessment rubrics:

Assessment 1 Rubric (PDF)

Assessment 2 Rubric (PDF)

Training

The Evidentiary Review Committee developed the following training materials to further assist potential proposed policy brief authors:

Required Evidence for APHA Policy Briefs: Tips for Using Evidence Effectively

Development and Review 

All proposed policy brief submissions are required to come from established and recognized Member Units of the American Public Health Association. The intent to write and proposed policy brief submission should be accompanied by a signed letter from the Member Unit leadership indicating sponsorship/co-sponsorship. Proposed policy brief submissions must also include signed Author Disclosure forms from each author.  

Sponsorship Letter (PDF)

Co-sponsor/Collaborating Unit Letter- optional (PDF)

Author Disclosure Form (PDF)

Regular Cycle

Under the regular review process intent to write submissions are due between July and September with the aim to have the Governing Council adopt the proposed policy statement the following November. The Intent to Write Form must be completed by the sponsoring Member Unit to initiate the proposed policy brief process. This form is designed to assess the appropriateness of the topic, provide early feedback, and identify opportunities for collaboration. The rationale and proposed action steps are expected to evolve over time. The goal is for all eligible proposed policy briefs to advance beyond the Intent to Write phase. Authors may be asked by the Evidentiary Review Committee to revise to increase the potential for success.

Intent to Write Submission Form

** For information only, a PDF copy of the intent to write form is linked below. Please use the online form linked above for all submissions. 

• Intent to Write Form- For information only (PDF)

Fast-Track Priority Areas

There is also an option for fast-track review of proposed policy briefs on priority topic areas, identified by APHA as critical gaps in the Association’s Policy Briefs and/or emerging policies within public health. Only proposed policy briefs on identified Policy Brief Priority Areas (PDF) can be fast-tracked.

Given their priority to the Association, these proposed Policy Briefs have a fast-track option for adoption. They may be submitted for consideration at the Mid-Year Meeting or Annual Meetings of the Governing Council or to the Executive Board for adoption between meetings of the Governing Council. A maximum of five (5) proposed Policy Briefs can be developed annually through the fast-track option. In addition to following the proposed policy brief authorship guidelines, to be considered for the fast-track priority option, author teams must do the following: 

• The lead author must complete an online training on writing a proposed policy brief and affirm the completion of this task 
• They will work with the Evidentiary Review Committee and APHA staff members to identify key literature on priority topics. 
• They will work with policy chairs’ working groups to help connect member units/expand collaborative writing groups. 

Questions about public health policy briefs? Email us.