Spiritual_Wellness_Holistic_Health_and_the_Practic

The Role of Health Education Associations in Advocacy 317
and Territorial Directors of Health Promotion and Public Health Education
(ASTDHPPHE), SOPHE, and the Society of State Directors of Health, Physical
Education, and Recreation (SSDHPER) are collaborating on a Public Health Education
Leadership Institute, a year - long program to develop leadership skills of their members
(Capwell, 1998).
FUTURE CHALLENGES
Although health education organizations have made significant advocacy strides in
recent years, many challenges are ahead for the twenty - first century. First, health education
groups must have a sustained presence on Capitol Hill, not just a barrage of visits
once per year. Relationships built during the Summits with Congressional representatives
and their staffs must be sustained for long - term political impact.
Second, the groups need to narrow and better focus their annual political objectives.
Although there are many worthwhile public health issues, taking on too many
complex and difficult issues only decreases the likelihood of political victory on any
one of them.
Third, health education associations need to expand ways of effectively mobilizing
their memberships “ outside the Beltway ” (including chapters, regional groups,
and districts) and continue developing their advocacy skills. Likewise, such groups
must encourage members to run for leadership positions or political offices at the local,
state, or national levels. Currently [1999], a formally trained health educator, Robert
Patton, is serving his second term in the Tennessee legislature.
Fourth, health education groups must continue advocating for funds to expand the
research base of the health education discipline. A richer science - base on the effectiveness
of health education interventions will, in turn, strengthen our arguments for
health education programs in Congress.
Finally, because the occupation of health educator and the issues important to the
profession are still relatively obscure to policymakers, health education organizations
must make a long - term commitment to advocacy. They must budget the financial and
human capital to maximize the effectiveness of their advocacy efforts, while still acting
within IRS restrictions of their tax - exempt status.
REFERENCES
Allegrante, J. P., Moon, R., Auld, M. E., & Gebbie, K. (1999). Future training needs of the public health education
workforce. Submitted for publication to Health Promotion Practice .
American Association for Health Education, National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, & Society
for Public Health Education. (1999). A competency - based framework for graduate - level health
educators .
American Medical Association Political Action Committee (AMPAC). (n.d.). AMPAC [Web site]. Retrieved
from http://www.ampaconline.org
Auld, E: (1997). SOC approves new occupational category for “ Health Educator. ” CHES Bulletin, 8 , 61 – 62.