How to Become
“Dr. Public Policy”
SHIFTING YOUR IMPACT FROM THE
INDIVIDUAL TO THE COMMUNITY
Alecia Sanchez, Policy Director
California Center for Public Health Advocacy
Disclosure Statement
 I have no relevant financial relationships with the
manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) and/or
provider(s) of commercial services discussed in this
activity
 I do not intend to discuss an
unapproved/investigative use of a commercial
product/device in my presentation.
Observations from a decade around
Sacramento as:
•A Legislative Aide
•A Lobbyist for Children’s Issues
•A Lobbyist for Public Health
A Powerful Voice – Hints from Clinical Practice
 Brief physician advice significantly increases long-term
smoking abstinence rates.
 Private physicians engagement had important influence
on adherence behavior patients requiring antibiotic
treatment following anthrax exposure.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, “Treating tobacco and dependence: 2008 update,”
2008 May.
Stein, Bradley D., Terri L. Tanielian, Gery W. Ryan, Hilary J. Rhodes, Shalanda D. Young, and Janice C. Blanchard, “A
Bitter Pill to Swallow: Nonadherence with Prophylactic Antibiotics During the Anthrax Attacks and the Role of Private
Physicians,” Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2004, pp. 175-185.
Medicine
focuses on
individuals
Public Policy
Impact.
The power of your voice is transferable.
Some real life examples…
“But testimony from Dr. Jon Grief of the American
Cancer Society showed that early breast cancer
detection has an enormous financial benefit to our
public health system and these cuts will lead to
substantially higher state costs…”
Source: http://californiabudget.blogspot.com/2010/02/sacrificing-women-first.html
Proposition 86 (2006) – Tobacco Tax
American Academy of Pediatrics, California
District
California Academy of Family Physicians
California Association for Nurse Practitioners
California Association of Physician Groups
California Chiropractic Association
California Medical Association
California Physicians Alliance
California School Nurses Organization
California Thoracic Society
Health Officers Association of California
Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Directors
Association
San Diego County Medical Society
San Francisco Medical Society
San Francisco Paramedic Association
Tulare County Medical Society
Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association
Association of California Neurologists
California Association of Neurological
Surgeons
Capital Medical Society
Golden State Medical Association
Los Angeles County Medical Association
Monterey County Medical Society
Santa Clara County Medical Association
Solano Regional Medical Group
Worth 1,00o Words?
MDs in Prop. 29
REGISTER ONLINE - http://registertovote.ca.gov/
The Time Investment Continuum
Sending an email to a
Writing a
policymaker
letter to the
editor
A few
minutes
Taking half a
day to testify
at a hearing
Providing input
into policy
development
Get
appointed
to a board
or
commission
Following Dr. Pan’s
footsteps to elected
office
Months/Years
Running a policy
campaign
But how?
Relationships
Relationships
Relationships
Relationships
Relationships
Relationships
A few minutes here and there…
• Sign up for e-mails that will help you engage
in policy efforts on your issue. TAKE ACTION
WHEN ASKED.
• Give money to an initiative or candidate
that will move your issue forward.
• Track media reports on an issue and make
comments.
A Weekend or An Afternoon
• Walk precincts for an issue or candidate.
• Phone bank
• Testify at a hearing on an issue.
• Attend an in-district meeting with
policymakers.
Days and Days
California Health
Benefit Exchange
Longer Term Strategy
Build relationships with
your elected officials.
Writing a Letter to Editor
In Our Backyard
 In California, 41% of children ages 2 to
11 and 62% of teens drink soda daily.
 One third of children are overweight or
obese.
Tips for Your Comment/LTE
 Concise – 150 words or less for print.
 Make your profession clear.
 Cover one fact related to health impacts.
 Cover personal observation.
Please join us.
• Sign up for our action network.
• Like us on facebook.
•Follow us on twitter.
www.PublicHealthAdvocacy.org
•Like us on facebook
• Follow us on twitter
http://www.kickthecan.info/
Thank you!
Alecia Sanchez
as@publichealthadvocacy.org
530.297.6000 ex. 207
A nonpartisan, nonprofit
Post Office Box 2309
organization established by the
Davis, California 95617
Northern and Southern California
Telephone 530.297.6000
Public Health Associations
Fax 530.297-6200
www.PublicHealthAdvocacy.org
PRESENTATION RESOURCES
Registering to vote:

http://registertovote.ca.gov/
o
o
You can apply to vote online or print out the application
Voter registration forms in Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai,
and Vietnamese are also available.
Getting appointed to a state board/commission:

http://gov.ca.gov/m_appointments.php
o Instructions for applying for appointment from Governor Brown’s website, including
the actual online application.
Finding your elected officials:


STATE AND FEDERAL - http://www.commoncause.org
(http://www.commoncause.org/siteapps/advocacy/search.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4860
375)
o To find your local officials, highlight the dropdown menu “Take Action” on the topleft side of the page and click on “Find Your Elected Officials”
o Search by address, zip code, or state to find your state (governor, lt. governor,
treasurer, and state senators/assembly members) and federal elected officials
(senators and house representatives)
LOCAL - http://www.congress.org
(http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/?command=local )
o At the bottom-left of the home page, there is a list titled “Directories.” Listed under
this is “Local elected officials” – click on this.
o This will take you to the local elected official directory where you can search for
your elected official by zip code, city, state, or the official’s last name.
 Note: depending on which criterion you use, you will get different results.
 Zip code will tell you your country supervisors, county administrator,
and clerk-recorder
 City will tell you your mayor, city council members, city manager,
and city clerk.
 Last name will get you the matching individual.
Sign up to be part of CCPHA’s Action Network

http://publichealthadvocacy.e-actionmax.com/signup.asp
Sign up to be part of KTC’s Action Network

https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/280/personal2.asp?formid=joinkickthecan
Weight of the Nation website

http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/