274377 Advocacy capacity and training needs among injury and violence prevention researchers

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM

Theresa Cruz, PhD , Dept of Pediatrics, Prevention Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Susan S. Gallagher, MPH , Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Megan Ranney, MD MPH , Department of Emergency Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
Background: Advocacy is a core competency for injury prevention professionals and can be an effective tool for implementing successful policies and obtaining funding for injury research. The purpose of this study was to assess the types of advocacy being conducted, identify barriers to advocacy, and determine advocacy training needs among injury researchers. Methods: Data were from a 17-question electronic survey sent via email to all members of the Society for the Advancement of Violence and Injury Research (SAVIR) during spring 2011. We determined prevalence of advocacy experience, interest, and training needs, and examined associations between prior training and advocacy interest and experience. Results: 72 (53.3%) SAVIR members responded. The majority (72.2%) reported at least one of 16 types of advocacy-related activities (M = 5.2, SD = 4.4). Half had served as subject matter experts (50.0%) or written a legislator (54.2%). Only 15.3% reported a relationship with a federal legislator; 25.0% with a state legislator. Strong interest in injury prevention advocacy was reported by 69.4% of respondents. Advocacy barriers included lack of time, institutional support, and training, as well as employer restrictions. One third of respondents had previous advocacy training. Prior training was not correlated with a higher level of interest in advocacy but was significantly associated with advocacy activity (÷2= 6.78). Reported training needs included advocacy “do's and don'ts” (74%), fact sheets (60%), and webinars (60%). Conclusions: Injury researchers are interested in advocacy. National organizations may be able to facilitate advocacy by providing them with targeted training and technical assistance.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the advocacy experience of injury and violence prevention researchers. 2. Identify key barriers to advocacy reported by injury and violence prevention researchers. 3. Discuss the advocacy training and technical assistance needs of injury and violence prevention researchers.

Keywords: Advocacy, Injury Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked in the field of injury prevention for 15 years, and have conducted both injury prevention and policy research. I am on the Board of the Society for the Advancement of Violence and Injury Research and worked on the development of the Core Competencies for Injury and Violence Prevention professionals. My interests include advocating for injury prevention and building capacity among researchers.
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.

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