Benefits of Affiliation with APHA

Publication Benefits

• Complimentary subscription to The Nation's Health, the award-winning official newspaper of APHA.
• Complimentary digital subscription to the American Journal of Public Health, APHA's prestigious monthly professional journal.

Resource and Leadership Development Benefits

• Complimentary APHA membership lists  -  APHA will provide each Affiliate with a list of APHA members in your state to help promote your affiliate annual meeting and INCREASE your membership!
• Complimentary orientation for Affiliate leadership -  Each year, APHA hosts an orientation program for affiliate presidents-elect at APHA headquarters in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, Affiliate presidents-elect can: meet and share information with other affiliate leaders; become familiar with APHA's organizational structure, operations and key staff; and visit their Congressional delegation on Capitol Hill. They are also provided with association-building skills such as membership recruitment and fundraising.
• Visit from the APHA president  -  Every three years, each Affiliate is provided a visit from the APHA President to your Affiliate's annual meeting. APHA pays the cost for the president's travel to and from your meeting.
• Affiliate dues discount  -  During the dues assessment process, a credit is provided for Affiliates whose members are also members of APHA. Affiliates are assessed $2.50 for each member and receive a credit of $1.00 for each member who is also a member of APHA.
• Advocacy training  -  APHA staff is available to provide advocacy and media relations training upon request. Advocacy and media relations manuals are also available.
• Access to the Affiliate Online Community  -  The Affiliate Online Community is the database system used by APHA Affiliate Affairs staff and Affiliate leaders to send communications, initiate and engage in discussions and upload documents (e.g. recorded webinars, policy documents, toolkits, etc.) 

Volunteer Leadership Benefits

• Participation in the APHA policy development process  -  Each Affiliate is entitled to select one representative who is also a member of APHA to sit on the Governing Council. The Governing Council's duties include establishing policies for the Association and for the guidance of the Executive Board and officers.
• Representation on the Action Board  -  Two Affiliate representatives sit on the Action board. The Action Board provides guidance on establishing and implementing APHA policy statements and priorities.
• Representation on the Committee on Membership  -  Three Affiliate leaders represent Affiliates on the Committee on Membership. Individuals serve three-year terms and assist in organizing Association membership recruitment and retention efforts.
• Representation on the Council on Affiliates  -  Ten regional representatives serve as liaisons between APHA and their geographic region and represent the interests of APHA's affiliated associations. Additional members are also appointed to represent other perspectives important to the APHA/Affiliate relationship, and up to three positions are filled by the CoA leadership ladder. The chair of the CoA has an ex-officio seat on the Executive Board.
• Being part of a unified voice that promotes public health nationwide  -  APHA's 30,000-person membership assures an effective voice in Washington and across the nation on issues of concern to public health professionals and consumers. Affiliates have an opportunity to contribute their expertise and help shape national, state and local health policies.

Annual Meeting Benefits

• Scientific sessions organized by the Council of Affiliates to help build organizational development skills.
• CoA poster sessions.
• Access to Affiliate Day, a full pre-conference day of programming for state public health associations.
• Trainings for new Affiliate leaders.
• Consideration for CoA awards presented during Affiliate Day:
  • Student of the Year
  • Award for Excellence
  • Affiliate of the Year
  • Innovation in Public Health
  • Outstanding Affiliate Staff of the Year