Writing a Good APHA Policy

Elaine Auld, MPH, CHESPHEHP Advocacy Co-chair, 2004 - presentJoint Policy Committee, 2004-presentAmerican Public Health Association

Purpose of Presentation

Overall Goal: To help APHA members take active role in policy process

Objectives: To identify the basic characteristics of a good policy To outline the key components of a well written policy

Acknowledgement: Thanks to Dr. Geraldine S. Perry-Allen Sims, former

Science Board chair, for examples & input to this presentation

Characteristics of Good APHA Policy Proposal

Useful– No APHA policy on the issue– Existing APHA policy(ies) outdated

Provides broad policy direction/action– Not narrowly written– Avoid specific time-sensitive issue

Timely Well written

– Clear, concise, succinct Well referenced Adheres to APHA deadlines ~ 2/18/08

Getting Started

Check APHA Policy schedule, deadlines– www.apha.org/advocacy/policy

Review policy outline on APHA website Do search of existing APHA policies

– 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

– Defined course of action– Limited focus on a particular issue

Position Paper– 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

Title– State the public health problem– Type of strategy will address– Do not cite specific year – < 70 characters

Key Words– 3-5 words that can be used to search the

subject matter – Very important for future use

Basic Components

State Over-riding concern– Identify single over-riding

communication objective (SOCO)Ex. 1: Preventing Vision Loss through

Smoking Cessation Ex. 2: Addressing Obesity and Health

Disparities through Federal Nutrition and Agricultural Policy

Basic Components

Relationship to existing APHA policy– Existing APHA policies related to topic

Ex. 1 – Policies on obesity Ex. 2 - Policies on trans fat, high fat content

of food, Dietary Guidelines

– Include policy number (s) in the introduction section of the policy

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

Problem Statement

– Public health problem

Clear succinct statementBurden of the problemShould be well referenced (Numbered)Based on sound science

Basic Components

Problem Statement– Public health problem

Disproportionate impact (positive/negative) on underserved populations

Avoid inflammatory languageSentence format – not “whereas”

– Include any opposing issueEx: Trans fats have been shown to be

related to heart disease. Other studies have not supported this relationship.

Basic Components

Proposed Recommendations

– Strategy (ies) proposed

Give evidence that the strategy has worked; list references

– Ex - Reducing trans fats in the food supply will reduce mortality rates

Basic Components

Proposed Recommendations

Alternative 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

Action Steps– Must be externally directed

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

References– Listed in order of mentioned in the body:

Introduction (APHA policies) Problem statement Strategy section

– Peer-reviewed Avoid personal correspondence

– Primary sources Could use a good review article

– Most recent references related to issue– Use AJPH format

Basic Components

References– 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

References– 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/04/minutes/2004-4035m1-summary.pdf, accessed on 11-3-2006.

Next Steps

Before Submission– Circulate for comments

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

– Anticipate revisions