Public Health Advocacy Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Speaker: Les Hagen, Adjunct Professor at the School of Public Health and Executive Director of Action on Smoking and Health.
• Topics: Principles and practices of public health advocacy, combining theory and practice, advocacy campaigns, and the impact of health advocacy on public policy.

Learning Objectives

• Describe public health advocacy and its applications.
• Identify three key elements of successful advocacy campaigns.
• Explain the role of media advocacy in policy development.
• Differentiate between healthy public policy and health policy.

Public Health Advocacy

• Grounded in science; has a theoretical model known as the Christofel model.
• Advocacy involves individual and community-level policy measures.

Strategy and Action in Advocacy

• Information Stage: Importance of identifying and describing the problem.
• Strategy Stage: Developing effective lobbying or advocacy strategies.
• Action Stage: Execution and evaluation of strategies.

Tobacco Control as a Case Study

• Tobacco control is a success story in public health advocacy.
• Success attributed to political involvement and public policy approaches.
• Key strategies: media advocacy, coalitions, and lobbying.

Health Policy vs. Healthy Public Policy

• Health Policy: Focuses on healthcare delivery, disease management, service delivery.
• Healthy Public Policy: Addresses broader social determinants of health, focuses on prevention and improving population health.

Challenges and Strategies in Alberta

• Alberta's cultural context includes a strong individualist and low-regulation tradition.
• Successful policy implementation despite challenges.

Advocacy Techniques

• Importance of setting the public agenda through media advocacy.
• Building alliances and coalitions to enhance advocacy efforts.
• Aligning advocacy goals with government priorities and social values.

Media Advocacy

• Publicity is crucial for setting the public agenda.
• Effective use of media advocacy to generate public and governmental support.

Essential Advocacy Skills

• Persistence, perseverance, and using evidence effectively.
• Building public support and engaging with policymakers.
• Maintaining moral high ground and avoiding adversarial tactics.

Lobbying Strategies

• Developing clear briefs and position papers.
• Engaging with both public servants and elected officials.
• Non-partisan approach and the importance of building respect.

Building External Partnerships

• Broaden support through coalitions with various stakeholders.
• Share resources and knowledge to strengthen the advocacy impact.

Key Elements of Successful Campaigns

• Strong communications and media strategy.
• Effective government relations and lobbying efforts.
• Mobilization of public support and coalition building.

Conclusion

• Public health advocacy is a professional responsibility.
• Combining science with practical advocacy strategies.
• Advocacy maximizes impact on public health and policy development.

Final Thoughts

• Advocacy should be a part of any health professional's role.
• Opportunities for engaging in advocacy exist both in professional and personal capacities.
• The importance of aligning advocacy efforts with a passion for public health.