Policy Brief Development Process

Proposed Policy Brief Guidelines

The policy briefs process book, adopted by the Governing Council, gives direction to the Association's policy statement development process by setting forth principles to govern, and outlining procedures to guide, the coordinated participation of all parties. The Author Guidelines outline the required elements of a proposed policy brief. 

Policy Brief Process Book (PDF)

Policy Brief Author Guidelines (PDF)

All proposed policy brief submissions are required to come from established and recognized Member Units of the American Public Health Association. The intent to write and proposed policy brief submission should be accompanied by a signed letter from the Member Unit leadership indicating sponsorship/co-sponsorship. 

Sponsorship Letter Template (Word)

Development and Review 

Regular Cycle

2025-2026 Proposed Policy Statement Development and Review Process Timeline (PDF)

Under the regular review process intent to write submissions are due in June with the aim to have the Governing Council adopt the proposed policy statement the following November. 

Intent to Write submissions for those seeking review of proposed policy brief during the regular 2026 review cycle are due June 30, 2025. The Intent to Write Form must be completed by the sponsoring Member Unit to initiate the proposed policy brief process. This form is designed to assess the appropriateness of the topic, provide early feedback, and identify opportunities for collaboration. The rationale and proposed action steps are expected to evolve over time. The goal is for all eligible proposed policy briefs to advance beyond the Intent to Write phase. Authors may be asked by the Evidentiary Review Committee to revise to increase the potential for success. Following approval of the Intent to Write, proposed policy brief submissions are due February 4, 2026.

Intent to Write Submission Form

Intent to Write Evaluation Form (rubric to be completed by a member of the Evidentiary Review Committee and provided as feedback for all submissions)

** For information only, PDF copies of both the intent to write form and evaluation rubric are linked below. Please use the online form linked above for all submissions. 

Fast-Track Priority Areas

There is also an option for fast-track review of proposed policy briefs on priority topic areas, identified by APHA as critical gaps in the Association’s Policy Briefs and/or emerging policies within public health. 

2025-2026 Policy Brief Priority Areas (PDF)

Given their priority to the Association, these proposed Policy Briefs have a fast-track option for adoption. They may be submitted for consideration at the Mid-Year Meeting or Annual Meetings of the Governing Council or to the Executive Board for adoption between meetings of the Governing Council. A maximum of five (5) proposed Policy Briefs can be developed annually through the fast-track option. In addition to following the proposed policy brief authorship guidelines, to be considered for the fast-track priority option, author teams must do the following: 

  • The lead author must complete an online training on writing a proposed policy brief and affirm the completion of this task (Training materials will be available shortly)
  • They will work with the Evidentiary Review Committee and APHA staff members to identify key literature on priority topics. 
  • They will work with policy chairs’ working groups to help connect member units/expand collaborative writing groups. 

Intent to Write Submissions for proposed policy briefs on priority topics seeking adoption at the June 2026 Mid-Year meeting of the Governing Council is August 18, 2025. For those seeking adoption at the November 2026 Annual Meeting of the Governing Council the deadline for Intent to Write Submissions is January 26, 2026.

Questions about public health policy briefs? Email us.