The Role of Advocacy in Public Health Law

Abstract

This article discusses how advocacy can be taught to both law and public health students, as well as the role that public health law faculty can play in advocating for public health. Despite the central role that advocacy plans in translating public health research into law, policy advocacy skills are rarely explicitly taught in either law schools or schools of public health, leaving those engaged in public health practice unclear about whether and how to advocate for effective policies. The article explains how courses in public health law and health justice provide ideal opportunities to teach advocacy skills, and it discusses the work of the George Consortium, which seeks to engage public health law faculty in advocacy efforts.

Charting the Advocacy Landscape: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Syllabi in Public Health Graduate Education

“…And while many different factors perpetuate racism overall, structural racism can be reversed through enactment of effective and equitable policies 8,10-16. A public health workforce that is competent in advocating at the local, state, and federal levels is essential 10,12,13…”

“…8,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] A public health workforce that is competent in advocating at the local, state, and federal levels is essential. 10,12,13 Recognizing these needs, the US accrediting body for academic public health, the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), issued a competency in 2016 requiring all Master of Public Health (MPH) students enrolled in accredited schools and programs of public health (SPPHs) to be trained on how to "advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations." 17 CEPH guidance 17 further emphasizes students' ability to influence policy through stakeholder mobilization and educating policymakers.…”

“…[6][7][8][9] And while many different factors perpetuate racism overall, structural racism can be reversed through enactment of effective and equitable policies. 8,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] A public health workforce that is competent in advocating at the local, state, and federal levels is essential. 10,12,13 Recognizing these needs, the US accrediting body for academic public health, the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), issued a competency in 2016 requiring all Master of Public Health (MPH) students enrolled in accredited schools and programs of public health (SPPHs) to be trained on how to "advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations."…”

“…A growing body of research links structural racism embedded in policies, laws, systems, and governmental budgets as the root cause of racial health disparities and associated poor health outcomes found in many communities of color 6-9. And while many different factors perpetuate racism overall, structural racism can be reversed through enactment of effective and equitable policies 8,10-16. A public health workforce that is competent in advocating at the local, state, and federal levels is essential 10,12,13…”