Online Program

LI Course
Oral

Statement of Purpose and Institute Overview: The purpose of this course is to teach public health and health care professionals how to lead, plan and implement evidence-based issue advocacy campaigns targeting state and local governmental policymakers. CDC Director, Dr. Tom Frieden, and colleagues assert that policy interventions that improve socioeconomic factors and the community-level context for health decisionmaking have the greatest potential for improving population health outcomes. These policies are most effective when enacted through legislation and agency regulations. CDC is supporting this approach through a renewed emphasis on health policy development and promotion. The nation will benefit when more public health professionals are trained to take an active role in the policymaking process, especially at the state and local level where much public health policy is formulated and implemented. Institutional barriers, professional demeanor and individual temperament are barriers to effective advocacy. Public health and health care professionals are put off by the often-confrontational and parochial nature of the legislative process where anecdote and passion often trump science and objective analysis. Health professionals who do venture into the policymaking arena find that practical knowledge and experience builds comfort the political process. By understanding how to navigate the political process and engage with stakeholders in both formal and informal settings, advocates will appreciate the value of projecting credibility and building mutually beneficial relationships. Through lecture, group discussion and case-based small-group exercises, a faculty of seasoned legislative, health advocacy, legal and policy analysis experts will address key components of an effective advocacy campaign: developing short and long-range legislative strategies, identifying allies, assessing opposition, organizing coalitions, crafting effective messages, and executing winning plans. Students will develop the confidence to take on leadership roles within an advocacy campaign through hands on activities. This course will address legal restrictions on lobbying and provide students with resources for determining what’s appropriate conduct for their own organization. The practical knowledge and experience participants gain through this course will help them influence and direct important health policy initiatives that improve health outcomes in their state and community.

Session Objectives: Describe how public health and health care professionals can and should assume a leadership role in the state and local health policymaking process. List and practice the key steps of an effective health policy advocacy campaign. Demonstrate the competencies necessary for developing and implementing a policy and advocacy strategy with targeted tactics.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)