253724 Is it all Politics? Current Challenges & Upcoming Opportunities to put MCH Advocacy in Action

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 8:50 AM

Brent Ewig, MHS , Public Policy & Government Affairs Team, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, Washington, DC
Building on the rich history of maternal and child health (MCH) advocacy, this session will focus on current challenges and opportunities for MCH leaders and aspiring leaders to shape policy. Using examples from the Affordable Care Act, annual health program funding bills, and authorizing legislation such as the Combating Autism Act as case studies, we will examine where MCH advocates have influenced policy decisions and where future opportunities lie. Strategies and tactics to be discussed include 1) using data to develop effective messages, 2) engaging coalitions and grassroots to build support, and 3) setting political strategies to achieve policy goals.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify current advocacy opportunities in maternal and child health 2. Describe how to use data to develop effective messages 3. Describe how to engage coalitions and grassroots to build support 4. Identify how to set political strategies to achieve policy goals.

Keywords: Maternal and Child Health, Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs at the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs.
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.