Advocacy and Policy Home
The Minnesota Public Health Association represents hundreds of people in
Minnesota who are working to protect the health of all Minnesotans. One
important activity of public health is to promote the development of policy
that protects the health of the public. This requires the use of independent
scientific data and analyses, including an explanation of methods, when
creating policy. Good research grounded in an independent review of the
science will result in good policy, and prevent costly policy mistakes.
Policy and Advocacy Team Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Meetings are held in the new Wilder Center near the corner of University Ave and Lexington Pkwy in the heart of midtown St. Paul. A map can be found here: http://www.wilder.org/fileadmin/wilder/pdf/451_Map.pdf.
Please email Melanie Ferris to be added to the Policy & Advocacy email list.
Now available:
A Guide for Education and Advocacy to Maintain the Minor's
Consent to Health Services Act. This guide is a companion to Minnesota
Confidential, a 30 minute documentary designed to increase the level of
awareness about the ability of minors to access confidential health
services.
For more information, contact Ellen Benavides at benav003@umn.edu.
2008 Legislative Agenda
Download printer friendly version [PDF]
MPHA represents a broad range of professionals with expertise in a number of specific topic areas. Throughout the session, MPHA will continue to inform its members of new legislation and policies that focus on public health. In order to focus our efforts and address issues of greatest interest and relevance to members, MPHA will place a greater effort in addressing the following three topics during the 2008 Legislative Session:
1. Childhood Obesity Prevention
Childhood obesity is a growing problem in Minnesota and across the nation. In order to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and long-term health consequences associated with unhealthy weight, MPHA supports legislation that increases health and physical activity requirements in Minnesota schools, as well as efforts to improve food and nutrition policies. MPHA is a member of Minnesotans for Healthy Kids through the American Heart Association.
2. Reproductive Health
MPHA continues to be a strong advocate of Minor’s Consent and supports legislation that establishes the use of evidence-based comprehensive sex education curricula in Minnesota schools. MPHA is a member of the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed.
3.Improvements to the Health Care System
MPHA advocates a health care system that is available to all our residents. MPHA also encourages and supports the idea that prevention, population health, and other public health principles should be included in health care reform legislation.
Other current MPHA issues:
- Chronic disease prevention: MPHA supports increased access to and funding for screening initiatives and supports the Statewide Health Improvement Plan. (Partner – MN Cancer Alliance)
- Healthy transit: MPHA is a member of Progress in Motion Coalition and supports the transportation funding bill, emphasizing funding for public transit. (Partner – Transit for Livable Communities)
- Environmental Toxins/chemicals: MPHA supports the phasing out of the toxic flame retardant, deca-BDE. (Partner – Health Legacy)
MPHA will encourage membership participation in public health policy throughout the calendar year by encouraging members to contact their legislators on key policy topics, and by providing information to members through a series of policy forums.
Action Alerts
The Policy and Advocacy Committee sends Action Alerts via email to MPHA members when an issue requires immediate advocacy action. Action alerts are sent urging MPHA members to contact their legislators on key issues on a statewide and national level.
Hot Issues
Evidence-based information on Public
Documents
Minor's Consent to Health Services Act
Tracking Legislation
Resolutions
MPHA Resolution Process [new page]
MPHA Position Statements and Resolutions 1974-2007 [new page]
2007 Issue Briefs
Family Planning Services in MN [PDF]
Built Environment: Transportation [PDF]
Health Care Outreach: Children's Health Care [PDF]
Public Health System in MN [PDF]
Resources
Following are a number of web sites that have been identified to support
you in your efforts to be a public health advocate. The MPHA does not
endorse these sites, however, after checking the sites have agreed to
share them with our members and other visitors. If you have suggested
additions, please send them to Lindsey
Fabian (Co-Chair Public Policy and Advocacy Committee).
How to be an advocate
http://www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/
http://www.stw.org/html/tools_for_action.html
Effective State Legislative Lobbying
Minnesota Legislature bill tracking
http://www.stw.org/html/tools_for_action.html
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/howbill.htm - how a bill becomes law
How to contact your senator or representative
http://www3.pioneerplanet.com/precinct/ - Finding out who your reps are
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/ - MN State legislature
http://government.aol.com/mygov/
Become a MPHA member!
