SOPHE will kick off the 2023 Advocacy Summit in spring 2023. In the meantime read about the 2022 Advocacy Summit.

24th Annual Advocacy Summit 2022

The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) was excited to host the 24th Annual Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 22 – Monday, October 24, 2022! This year’s summit theme was “Youth Health Equity: Forging the Path for an Inclusive Future.”

The Summit featured five educational tracks:

  • Anti-Racism & Youth Health
  • Youth LGBTQ+, Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Youth Mental Health
  • Misinformation in Youth Health
  • Student Poster Track: Health Advocacy for Youth

SOPHE had an engaging line-up of keynote speakers, researchers, panelists and students leading the charge to create and sustain equitable spaces for youth. This year’s summit also presented unique opportunities to address anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, and public policies around race and ethnicity, within your state.

We welcomed public health and advocacy professionals, and students interested in engaging in effective advocacy for a common agenda at national, state, and local levels. Public health advocates shared advocacy training, materials, and resources, thereby providing a learning environment for all levels of knowledge and experience.

SOPHE and other public health and advocacy professionals and students gathered to engage in effective advocacy for a common agenda at national, state, and local levels.

  • The Summit engaged public health advocates to share advocacy training, materials, and resources.
  • The Summit provided a learning environment for all levels of knowledge and experience.

Participants new to advocacy learned the basics to enhance their confidence. Seasoned advocacy veterans were exposed to advanced sessions.

Why people participated?

To Learn

The Summit provides a learning environment for all levels of knowledge and experience. Participants new to advocacy learn the basics to enhance their confidence. Seasoned advocacy veterans are exposed to advanced sessions.

  • Multiple sessions cover basic, intermediate and advanced-level advocacy training.
  • Participants select sessions of interest in health policy and public health fields.
Keely Rees, PhD, MCHES

“Our Wisconsin group had a terrific experience. We had the opportunity to debrief and found some very valuable insights, an afterthought, and significant growth in terms of advocacy skills and confidence.”

Accordion panel content goes here

To Connect

Connect with a diverse group of health education specialists, public health professionals, undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in Washington, D.C.

“My biggest takeaway from the Summit is understanding the importance of being a strong and reliable advocate as this is essential to championing a cause that you care about.” 

Alexis Wing, George Washington University

To Act

The Summit engages public health leaders to share advocacy training, materials, and resources. Following the Summit, participants are encouraged to continue advocacy efforts in their communities.

“With the support of the conference, my summit attendees, and my advisor, I could go through my senator meetings with confidence in the knowledge and skills I had recently acquired. I am ecstatic to motivate others to attend a future Advocacy Summit to better themselves as future health educators.” 

Christian, Missouri

For questions or additional information, contact education@sophe.org or 202.408.9804