Oral

One of the prime functions of national public health associations is to represent and promote public health approaches to public and private sector policy as a means of safeguarding/improving human health and promoting health equity for all. The American Public Health Association (APHA), the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) and the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) have, over several decades, adopted evidence-informed resolutions and taken, in some cases, controversial positions on issues that affect the public’s health. The purpose of this session is to share the experiences and challenges encountered by these three organizations in their efforts to influence policy. The session will also identify at least one public health issue that these three organizations could consider for conjoint action in the future.

Session Objectives: Describe the experiences, successes and challenges of public health associations in exercising policy influence in an increasingly contested terrain. Discuss potential public health issues that APHA, CPHA, and WFPHA could consider for conjoint action.