Advocacy

IPHA's Public Policy Committee leads the advocacy activity for the organization. The committee recommends positions on current public health issues, develops proposed resolutions and coordinates advocacy support of IPHA policy positions through personal contacts with legislators and other decision-makers. In addition, the committee reviews legislative proposals and other rules and regulations concerning public health. The committee operates in cooperation with other public health organizations, key players, and a grassroots advocacy network to achieve IPHA’s policy goals.

To receive regular advocacy updates via email or information about upcoming meetings, contact the committee chair, Millicent Fleming-Moran at mfmoran@indiana.edu.

IPHA Policies: where do we stand?

This isn’t a rhetorical question! The Policy Committee developed four 2005 policy statements for public distribution, education and advocacy. They include brief statements on barriers to basic health care; tobacco prevention, cessation, and treatment, reduction of child obesity risk, and reduction/prevention of toxic heavy metals exposure to vulnerable populations.

Each statement is evidence based, and scientifically supported information regarding Indiana and national health impact and costs of these major threats to Hoosier quality of life. National public health goals and APHA policy guidelines have been adopted in each, as appropriate. Drafts of the proposed statements were sent to all IPHA members this summer for their review and the Policy Committee received comments from over 30 individuals. Revised and Board-approved 2005 Policy Statements are posted on the IPHA website (see the Access to Care Resolution 2005 listed below).

These statements will soon be shared with other partner organizations, advocacy coalitions, legislative leaders, IPHA Chapters and local associations. Some of this information may be useful for fact-sheets or talking-points when contacting your representatives or other policy makers. We'll also use them in upcoming advocacy workshops and this legislative session’s Pie Day (AKA “Public Health needs a piece of the..”) event.

IPHA needs knowledgeable and experienced policy reviewers and/or contributors; legislation monitors (at local, state and national levels), and suggested programs and leaders who make public health SUCCEED in your area.

IPHA public policy lacks a concise statement documenting the critical need to build, train, and equip our steadily reduced state and local public health workforce and infrastructure. Any volunteers? The need for adequate, effective, and ready public health networks is acutely evident following recent Gulf-coast tragedies. The public may better appreciate how many citizens depend on a thin reserve of government and not-for-profit providers of health care, environmental safety, or food and housing security.

Who are public health policy makers? YOU are!! If you have a response, idea, or interest in getting the word out about what “public health” stands for, please contact Jerry King, your local IPHA Chapter or the IPHA Policy Committee.

Access to Care Resolution 2005

Advocating for the Health of the Public in Indiana