With a 150-year legacy, the American Public Health Association (APHA) is one of the oldest and largest professional public health associations in the U.S. and it focuses on two primary functions: legislative advocacy and public education to improve community health.
APHA connects academic public health with public health practice. It provides an opportunity for those of us doing work in the academy to present our research and influence how public health is practiced. For SPH students who are earning professional degrees, it provides valuable opportunities to stay on top of current research throughout their career and network with colleagues across the U.S.
I encourage all SPH faculty, staff, and students to be active with APHA, and here are a few key ways to do that:
- Become a member.
- Get involved by joining APHA communities, sections, boards and councils, and/or committees.
- Attend the APHA annual conference.
SPH will have a big presence at the 2023 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo in Atlanta, GA, Nov. 12-15, where this year’s theme is “Creating the Healthiest Nation: Overcoming Social and Ethical Challenges.” This event provides an opportunity to strengthen our visibility and connections in the field and shine a national spotlight on our leadership and innovation in public health.
For those who are attending the event:
- Visit us in the Exhibit Hall, booth #1231.
- Join us on Mon, Nov. 13, 5:30-8:00 p.m. at an SPH social event.
- View a list of the SPH’ers who are involved in presentations and poster sessions.
- Tag us in your social media posts: @PublicHealthUMN.
Next year’s conference will be held in Minneapolis, which presents an exciting opportunity to organize activities with our Minnesota public health partners around this event. More details will be shared as efforts get underway.
I want to thank the SPH staff who are organizing this year’s APHA conference booth and engagement initiatives: Sarah Bjorkman, Dan Cheng, Emily Dunsworth, Lauren Jones, Maggie Mora, Gayle Smaller Jr., Rachel Smith, Kablia Thao, and Sara Veblen-Mortenson.
#APHA23UMN
With warm regards,
Tim Beebe
Interim Dean and Mayo Professor
