Writing a Good APHA Policy
Elaine Auld, MPH, CHES
PHEHP Advocacy Co-chair, 2004 - present
Joint Policy Committee, 2004-present
American Public Health Association
Purpose of Presentation
Overall Goal:
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To help APHA members take active role in policy process
Objectives:
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To identify the basic characteristics of a good policy
To outline the key components of a well written policy
Acknowledgement:
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Thanks to Dr. Geraldine S. Perry-Allen Sims, former
Science Board chair, for examples & input to this
presentation
Characteristics of Good
APHA Policy Proposal
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Useful
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Provides broad policy direction/action
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Not narrowly written
Avoid specific time-sensitive issue
Timely
Well written
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No APHA policy on the issue
Existing APHA policy(ies) outdated
Clear, concise, succinct
Well referenced
Adheres to APHA deadlines ~ 2/18/08
Getting Started
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Check APHA Policy schedule, deadlines
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Review policy outline on APHA website
Do search of existing APHA policies
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www.apha.org/advocacy/policy
Current/active policies
Proposed list for archiving each year
Discuss w/ Section, Affiliate, SPIG,
Caucus for input, ideas
Getting Started
Two Major Types of Policies
 Resolution
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Defined course of action
Limited focus on a particular issue
Position Paper
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Major exposition of APHA's viewpoint on a broad issue
More extensive elaboration than resolution
May/may not call for action
Ex – Pandemic Flu
Basic Components
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Title
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State the public health problem
Type of strategy will address
Do not cite specific year
< 70 characters
Key Words
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3-5 words that can be used to search the
subject matter
Very important for future use
Basic Components
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State Over-riding concern
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Identify single over-riding
communication objective (SOCO)
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Ex. 1: Preventing Vision Loss through
Smoking Cessation
Ex. 2: Addressing Obesity and Health
Disparities through Federal Nutrition and
Agricultural Policy
Basic Components
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Relationship to existing APHA policy
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Existing APHA policies related to topic
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Include policy number (s) in the
introduction section of the policy
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Ex. 1 – Policies on obesity
Ex. 2 - Policies on trans fat, high fat content
of food, Dietary Guidelines
APHA support the Dietary Guidelines which
suggest that trans fat should be reduced in
the diet (Policy #)
State if proposed policy updates/replaces
current policy
Basic Components
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Problem Statement
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Public health problem
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Clear succinct statement
Burden of the problem
Should be well referenced (Numbered)
Based on sound science
Basic Components
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Problem Statement
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Public health problem
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Disproportionate impact
(positive/negative) on underserved
populations
Avoid inflammatory language
Sentence format – not “whereas”
Include any opposing issue
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Ex: Trans fats have been shown to be
related to heart disease. Other studies have
not supported this relationship.
Basic Components
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Proposed Recommendations
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Strategy (ies) proposed
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Give evidence that the strategy has
worked; list references
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Ex - Reducing trans fats in the food
supply will reduce mortality rates
Basic Components
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Proposed Recommendations
 Alternative
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strategies
Strategy tried or proposed
Give evidence to support effectiveness
of suggested strategy
List references in appropriate format
Counter points on whether proposed
strategy works
Basic Components
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Action Steps
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Must be externally directed
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APHA urges CDC to organize an expert panel
on the feasibility of reducing trans fats in
processed foods
No – APHA should hold a conference to
examine trans fats
Must be feasible
Must be culturally appropriate
Must be linked to evidence presented in
problem statement or strategy section
Basic Components
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References
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Listed in order of mentioned in the body:
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Peer-reviewed
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Avoid personal correspondence
Primary sources
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Introduction (APHA policies)
Problem statement
Strategy section
Could use a good review article
Most recent references related to issue
Use AJPH format
Basic Components
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References
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Examples of correct format
1.
Aro A. Epidemiology of trans fatty
acids and coronary heart disease in
Europe. Nutr Metab Cardivasc Dis
1998;8:402-407
2. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) and the Department of Agriculture
(USDA), Dietary Guidelines for Americans,
January 12, 2005.
Basic Components
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References
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Examples of correct format
3. Nutrition Subcommittee of the Food
Advisory Committee, Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN),
Food and Drug Administration (FSA)
Summary Minutes, April 27-28, 2004,
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/0
4/minutes/2004-4035m1-summary.pdf,
accessed on 11-3-2006.
Next Steps
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Before Submission
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Circulate for comments
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Internally – Section/Unit leaders, Action Board member
Externally - Other Sections/units likely to be interested
Revise
Get 1+ Section/Unit endorsements; indicate in
signature/submission
After Submission
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Anticipate revisions