Established in 1948, the Medical Care Section is guided by the public health ideal that we must act collectively as a society to assure conditions in which people can be healthy.
We are committed to improving the nation’s health through practice, research, education and policy action. The Medical Care Section has generated several APHA presidents, and our journal, Medical Care, is the premier clinical health services research journal in the world.
Our Members
We are a home for multiple professions and disciplines. Our diverse members and committees are broadly interested in the connections between medical care and public health.
Our members include professionals, consumers and patients in areas such as clinical care, public health, policy, academics, advocacy, administration, health education, social and economic areas and more. About a third of our members are medical doctors and a third have other doctoral degrees.
Our Work
Improving the public's health requires remedying multiple disparities and providing research and evidence-based frameworks to achieve viable and sustainable solutions that challenge customary practices and assumptions in health care and health care delivery.
Our members explore the organization and practice of medical care in the U.S. and elsewhere as well as the social, economic and environmental conditions that influence health.
We advocate for strengthening and assuring the conditions that preserve and enhance health as well as a medical care system that assures high-quality care, accessible preventive medicine and cultural sensitivity for all.
We see this as attainable through equitable public financing, careful monitoring and feedback of performance, and wise allocation of resources under public leadership.
Member Benefits
As a member of our Section, you can help grow our legacy in public health practice! We offer many opportunities to get involved, such as joining Section leadership, collaborating with other organizations and partners, influencing APHA policies and priorities, reviewing abstracts and presenting your research at the APHA Annual Meeting.
Members also receive free electronic access to Medical Care, the official journal of the Medical Care Section. Check out The Medical Care Blog for the latest news and research.
Join Us!
Your participation is vital to our continued success. Become an active member of the Section when you join APHA. If you are already an APHA member, you can join as your second Section for no additional cost by updating your member profile.
Attend Events
Check out the APHA calendar for upcoming Section events and browse our sessions at the 2024 APHA Annual Meeting and Expo.
Visit on APHA LEAD
Members can visit us on APHA LEAD to learn about upcoming events, join in discussions with other Section members, and access our Section’s resource library.
Follow on Social Media
Find us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn to receive up-to-date information on Section happenings as well as professional development opportunities.
Contribute
Support our efforts by making a donation.