Introduction:

The SOPHE Advocacy Committee plays a major role in implementing goal 1 of SOPHE's Strategic Plan "To expand the reach and effectiveness via advocacy for public policies and programs that promote and support health education initiatives."

The SOPHE Advocacy Committee meets via conference call on the fourth Thursday of every month at 2pm Eastern, to discuss the latest advocacy information, educate about priority advocacy topics, and assist SOPHE members to carry out SOPHE advocacy priorities and identify doable action steps. Additionally, SOPHE co-sponsors the Health Education Advocacy Summit held annually in Washington, D.C. The 9^th Annual Summit has been scheduled March 11-13, 2006.  If you are interested in becoming involved in SOPHE Advocacy efforts please CLICK HERE for more information.

Committee Objectives:

• Sustain communication channels with SOPHE members and through SOPHE chapters
• Develop, support and evaluate SOPHE resolutions involving advocacy activities in cooperation with the SOPHE Resolutions Committee
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with public and private national organizations on health education advocacy initiatives
• Support SOPHE chapters in their implementation of national, state and local health education public policy activities.

For additional information on SOPHE advocacy activities and the advocacy committee, contact advocacy co-chairs Tracey Teuber tkt9@cdc.gov or Joyce Lisbin, jlisbin@dhs.ca.gov.

2005 Advocacy Priorities

1. Environmental Health Issues;
2. Eliminating Health Disparities; and
3. School Health (obesity prevention and control, supporting comprehensive school health education)

Resolutions

For more information about SOPHE's recent resolutions and current policy CLICK HERE.

Advocacy in Action

SOPHE’s Letter to Senator Harkin Applauds Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention (HELP) America Act
SOPHE submits letter to Senator Harkin expressing support for the Senator’s proposed Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention (HELP) America Act. The legislation emphasizes community-based approaches for reducing obesity, recognition of the need to provide incentives for training physicians and health care professionals in community-based approaches, and focusing on school nutrition programs as ways to combat the rising incidence of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other devastating chronic conditions.

SOPHE Becomes National Partner for the You Can! Steps to Healthy Aging campaign
You Can! - Steps to Healthier Aging is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Steps to a HealthierUS initiative, which encourages Americans of every age to make healthier choices. The You Can! campaign is designed to increase the number of older adults who are active and healthy by using a partnership approach to mobilize communities. SOPHE, in partnership with the Administration on Aging as well as national, state and local partners, will create public awareness and make programs available to help older Americans improve their nutrition and increase their physical activity.

Advocacy Resources

The health education advocate website, www.healtheducationadvocate.org to view information, and fact sheets from the 8^th Annual Health Education Advocacy Summit, March 2005 in Washington, DC.