212816 Public health associations' influence on health reform

Monday, November 9, 2009: 2:30 PM

Jerry King , Executive Director, Indiana Public Health Association, Indianapolis, IN
Public debate and policy initiatives for health reform have generally underestimated the role of public health solutions in alleviating pressures on health systems. Therefore, more effective and assertive education is needed about the impact of a comprehensive public health agenda in supporting a population that is healthier and that places less demand on health care resources. Public health associations have a special role to educate policy makers and the public about effective public health policy, practice and resources. This CoA sponsored scientific session will adopt a panel format in order to showcase efforts of three public health associations to influence health reform nationally or at the state-level, including descriptions of context, messages, vehicles, partners, results, and lessons learned. The session will include dialogue with the audience and an emphasis on mutual sharing of knowledge, resources, and successful strategies.

Learning Objectives:
Identify successful health reform messaging strategies for public health associations, including core messages, resources and vehicles. Identify sources for potential advocacy partnerships, including supportive issue experts. Identify tools and resources employed by associations in successful communication efforts.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am Executive Director of the Indiana Public Health Association and a representative to APHA’s Action Board from the Committee on Affiliates. In those roles he has more than 10 years experience in Indiana as well as with APHA affiliates across the nation developing strategies and messages aimed at invigorating the public health community to influence public policy, which has included helping to design the Action Board’s PHACT Campaigns for 2008 and 2009.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.