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

News release: Bipartisan Senate FY 2025 Labor-HHS-Education Spending Bill Provides Modest Increases for Key Public Health Agencies and Programs
APHA letter to the House Appropriations Committee opposing cuts to public health in the FY 2025 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill (July 10)
CDC Coalition FY 2025 request letter to House and Senate Labor-HHS-Education appropriations subcommittee leaders (March 26)
Friends of HRSA FY 2025 request letter to House and Senate Labor-HHS-Education appropriations subcommittee leaders (April 1)
Health organization letter in support of FY 2025 funding for CDC's Public Health Data Modernization funding (April 30)
Organization letter to House Appropriations Committee leaders in support of $268.1 million for Community and Youth Violence Prevention through the Division of Violence Prevention at CDC (April 30)
Organization letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leaders in support of $268.1 million for Community and Youth Violence Prevention through the Division of Violence Prevention at CDC (April 30)
Organization letter in support of $100 million for CDC's Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies program in FY 2025 (April 29)
Organization letter in support of $1 billion for the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant in FY 2025 (April 29)
Organization letter in support of $100 million for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in FY 2025 (April 15)
Organization letter in support of $420.85 million for CDC's National Center for Environmental Health in FY 2025 (April 15)
Organization letter in support of $5 million in FY 2025 for the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (April 10)
Organization letter in support of $110 million for CDC climate and health activities in FY 2025 (April 10)
Organization letter in support of $220 million for CDC's National Center for Health Statistics in FY 2025 (April 10)
Organization letter in support of $12 billion for U.S. EPA in FY 2025 (April 10)

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)

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.