SOPHE:
SOPHE is an independent, international professional association made up of a diverse membership of health education professionals and students. The Society promotes healthy behaviors, healthy communities, and healthy environments through its membership, its network of local chapters, and its numerous partnerships with other organizations. With its primary focus on public health education, SOPHE provides leadership through a code of ethics, standard for professional preparation, research, and practice; professional development; and public outreach.
Mission:
The mission of the Society for Public Health Education is to provide leadership to the profession of public health education and to contribute to the health of all people and the elimination of disparities through advances in health education theory and research, excellence in professional preparation and practice, and advocacy for public policies conducive to health.
Values
SOPHE is committed to:
- Responding to the needs of its members
- Delivering quality products and services
- Demonstrating integrity, accountability and transparency
- Promoting teamwork and collaboration
- Embracing diversity
- Respecting organizational tradition while encouraging innovation
Purpose:
SOPHE is a 501 (c)(3) professional organization founded in 1950 to provide leadership to the profession and to promote the health of all people by: stimulating research on the theory and practice of health education; supporting high quality performance standards for the practice of health education and health promotion; advocating policy and legislation affecting health education and health promotion; and developing and promoting standards for professional preparation of health education professionals. SOPHE is the only professional organization devoted exclusively to public health education and health promotion.
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Governance:
SOPHE is governed by a House of Delegates, comprised of one delegate from each of its chapters, and a Board of Trustees, including all officers, two trustees elected at large, and four trustees elected from the House of Delegates. The House and Board hold two business meetings per year and monthly conference calls. Chapters must meet National SOPHE requirements, although they are autonomous in governing and financial structure.
Advocacy:
SOPHE has an active Advocacy Committee, with representation from all chapters, and interested SOPHE members. Email communication facilitates rapid communication and action on national legislative issues of interest to SOPHE members. SOPHE also adopts resolutions that provide an organizational foundation for action on selected issues. Relocation of the national office to Washington, DC in January 1996 has increased SOPHE participation and visibility.
Professional Development:
SOPHE supports professional development by:
- Offering two continuing education conferences annually, each attracting 400-500 health professionals. The SOPHE Annual Meeting is held the weekend immediately prior to the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting, and the SOPHE Mid-Year Scientific Conference occurs in May or June.
- Providing distance learning opportunities such as video teleconferences and self-study journal articles to enhance continuing education opportunities for health professionals at the local level.
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Special Interest Groups:
- Children, Adolescents & School Health
- Health Communications/Social Marketing
- International/Cross Cultural Health
- Health Aging
- Environmental Health Promotion
- Emergency Preparedness
- Health Disparities
- Anthropology & Public Health
- Medical Care/Patient Education
- Worksite Health
Caucuses:
- Students and New Professionals
- University Faculty
SOPHE Trademark:
This logo is not to be copied or used without prior written permission from SOPHE. Please contact the Executive Director at (202) 408-9804 or send your request to info@sophe.org.
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