Speak For Health

Speak for Health An Initiative of the American Public Health Association

Speak for Health is how APHA members stand up for public health interests.

APHA believes public health professionals deserve a stronger voice in public health advocacy. Together, we can change the narrative and turn the tide. #SpeakForHealth

APHA is the leading voice for public health in Washington. The policies we advance are based in science, research and member-led processes.

Join us and Speak for Health — for today and future generations.

How can you #SpeakForHealth?

Use our state fact sheets (PDF) to advocate locally.
Read about APHA's 2024 advocacy priorities (PDF).
Meet with your members of Congress or their staff.
Attend a public forum or town hall and ask a question. Call the district offices of your senators and representative to request a list of events near you. Review these tips for speaking at a town hall or public meeting (PDF).
Submit an op-ed to your local paper. We have tips for writing op-eds (PDF). You can also email speakforhealth@apha.org if you would like to use an op-ed template on gun violence prevention, climate change or public health funding.
Use Facebook or X to engage your members of Congress.
Send an action alert message to your members of Congress, or call your members of Congress and use the action alert message as a phone script.
Review the 2022 Speak for Health webinar presentation (PDF) for a summary of public health priorities, advocacy strategies and useful resources.

And share these images on social media to help us spread the word:

We cannot allow senseless gun violence to continue take action now

Climate changes health let's change our approach

Speak for Health resources

PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING

Letters

Organization letter to House and Senate appropriators supporting FY 2024 funding of $35 million for CDC, $25 million for NIH and $1 million for NIJ for firearm morbidity and mortality prevention research (April 19)
Health organization letter to House appropriators urging them to fully fund the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program at its $100 million authorization level and provide $50 million to launch the new Bio-Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program at the Health Resources and Services Administration (March 24)
Health organization letter to House appropriators urging them to significantly increase federal funding for domestic and global antimicrobial resistance programs in FY 2024 (March 24)
Health organization letter to House and Senate appropriators urging increased funding in FY 2024 for CDC's Data Modernization Initiative and the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (March 24)
Health organization letter to House appropriators in support of FY 2024 funding for CDC's Community Violence Intervention Initiative through the Division of Violence Prevention (March 24)
Health organization letter to House appropriators in support of FY 2024 funding for CDC's Advanced Molecular Detection program (March 24)
Organization letter to House and Senate appropriators supporting $1 billion in FY24 funding for the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant (March 23)
Organization letter to House and Senate appropriators supporting $100 million in FY24 funding for CDC's Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies program (March 23)
Health organization letter in support of $100 million for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in FY 2024 (March 23)
Friends of HRSA letter in support of at least $10.5 billion in FY24 funding for HRSA (March 23)
Health organization letter in support of $420.85 million for CDC's National Center for Environmental Health in FY 2024 (March 22)
CDC Coalition letter to appropriators in support of at least $11.581 billion in funding for CDC in FY 2024 (March 22)
Organization letter to Senate appropriators in support of strong FY 2024 funding for the Department of Transportation's for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (March 22)
Health organization letter to House and Senate appropriators in support of $110 million in FY 2024 for CDC's Climate and Health program (March 17)
Health organization letter to House and Senate appropriators in support of $5 million in FY 2024 for the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (March 17)
Organization letter to House and Senate appropriators supporting $500 million in FY24 funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (March 8)
Gun Violence Prevention Research Roundtable Steering Committee letter to Appropriations Committee leaders urging continued and increased funding for research on firearm-related morbidity and mortality (Feb. 7)

Fact sheets

PREVENTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH FUND/AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Support for the Affordable Care Act, improvements and impacts of repeal

Amicus brief

Public health amicus brief to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division in support of the ACA’s requirement that insurers and health plans provide preventive health services and screening and immunization without cost sharing (Feb. 7)

APHA, American Academy of Nursing and public health deans and scholars amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of upholding and maintaining the Affordable Care Act regardless of the court's decision on the constitutionality of the ACA's individual mandate (May 13)

Fact sheets and other supporting documents

Letters and statements

APHA statement applauding the Supreme Court decision preserving the Affordable Care Act (June 17)
Organization letter supporting the Public Health Funding Prevents Pandemics Act (March 3)

CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH

Health organization letter in support of $420.85 million for CDC's National Center for Environmental Health in FY 2024 (March 22)
Health organization letter to House and Senate appropriators in support of $110 million in FY 2024 for CDC's Climate and Health program (March 17)
Health organization letter to House and Senate appropriators in support of $5 million in FY 2024 for the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (March 17)
Climate, Health and Equity: Recommendations for HHS
U.S. Call to Action on Climate, Health, and Equity: A Policy Action Agenda
Read the APHA climate change fact sheets
Check out APHA's climate and health infographic
APHA policy statement: Public Health Opportunities to Address the Health Effects of Climate Change (20157)
Visit APHA's climate change page

GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Letters

Organization letter to House and Senate appropriators supporting FY 2024 funding of $35 million for CDC, $25 million for NIH, and $1 million for NIJ for firearm morbidity and mortality prevention research (April 19)
Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leaders from the Steering Committee of the Gun Violence Prevention Research Roundtable coalition in support of continued funding for gun violence prevention research (Feb. 16)
APHA letter to House leaders in support of H.R. 715, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act (Feb. 8)
Gun Violence Prevention Research Roundtable Steering Committee letter to Appropriations Committee leaders urging continued and increased funding for research on firearm-related morbidity and mortality (Feb. 7)

Other resources

RACIAL EQUITY

Letters

APHA letter to Congress urging support for H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, legislation that would protect against voter discrimination and suppression
Organization letter to appropriations leaders in support of $153 million in funding for CDC's Social Determinants of Health Program in fiscal year 2022
Organization letter to HHS and CDC leaders urging them to ensure funding for COVID-19 public health response activities provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (P.L.117-2) prioritizes the communities of color and tribal communities that are disproportionately affected and underserved
Letter from APHA to the House of Representatives in support of H.R. 1280, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021

Other resources

STAY INFORMED

Stay informed: Sign up for APHA emails on the Speak for Health campaign and other interests.

Legislative Updates: Stay up to date on legislative news with APHA's monthly newsletter.

Email us for assistance with submitting an opinion editorial or letter to the editor.

Have questions or need information on this campaign? Contact APHA's Government Relations Staff at 202-777-2513 or via email.