The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45034

Julie Williamson, MPH, Partnership for the Public’s Health, 505 14th St. #810, Oakland, CA 94612, 510-302-3330, jwilliamson@partnershipph.org and Bernard S. Weintraub, MPH, Immediate Past Chairman of the Board, Public Health Foundation Enterprises, Inc, 13200 Crossroads Parkway North, Suite 135, City of Industry, CA 91746.

In November 1999, the Northern and Southern California Public Health Associations (CPHA-N and SCPHA) jointly organized the California Center for Public Health Advocacy as a separate nonpartisan nonprofit organization. Building on the strength of the two Associations’ 70-year history and the extraordinary success of SCPHA’s pilot Grassroots Nutrition & Physical Activity Campaign, the Center was created to raise awareness about public health issues and mobilize communities to promote the establishment of effective health policies.

The Center uses tools of public health -- health education, social marketing, epidemiology, and grassroots organizing – to design policy solutions to address public health challenges facing California today. Its strength lies in the unique approach of working simultaneously with facets of public health that are rarely combined:

- It is both science-based AND close to community, using both grassroots AND professional expertise;

- It works in both local communities AND at the Statewide level; and

- It focuses on both specific public health issues AND the general well-being of all Californians.

The Center has quickly become a lightning rod for bringing together health advocates from around the state to work together toward common policy goals, and has supported our two affiliates to strengthening an already growing partnership. The model developed could be replicated by APHA affiliates and others across the country interested in promoting changes in national, state, or local public policy.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to describe and replicate the formation of a model advocacy organization bringing together communities, experts, and advocates to promote public health policy solutions at the national, state, and local levels.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.