Public health advocacy is an essential responsibility for any public health professional. The NJPHA promotes its policy agenda using several advocacy strategies, including the creation and dissemination of a legislative scorecard. This tool literally scores the NJ legislators on key 7-10 bills that were tracked during the year. Releasing the scorecard to legislators and the media alerts both that NJPHA is paying attention, draws attention to public health, and supports policy makers for supporting public health. This session will guide participants in creating a legislative scorecard for their state, with recommended steps, timeline and resources. Other advocacy strategies in New Jersey included two surveys (public health course curricula for advocacy pedagogy and legislators for public health priorities), our annual legislative dialogue, creating public health positions, and educating legislators on current legislative issues. These and others will be reviewed as time allows.
Learning Objectives: To describe three benefits of creating a state legislative scorecard. To construct a legislative scorecard. To list four other public health advocacy strategies used in New Jersey to advance its policy agenda.
Keywords: Legislative, Advocacy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.