Advocacy in the Advocacy in the Classroom … and Beyond Classroom … and Beyond ……

Michael Barnes, PhD, CHES

Common Advocacy-based Common Advocacy-based StrategiesStrategiesConstituent-based (mobilization)

◦Calling Tree◦Photovoice ◦Letters to the editor/◦Media Advocacy◦Contact policy makers◦Social media (community-to-community)

Professional-based (partnership)◦Resolution or Proclamation ◦Contact policy makers◦Media: e-Press Release, OpEd, PSA,

Editorial Board, Social Media (professional to policy maker)

Student AssignmentsStudent AssignmentsGrad

◦ Health policy analysis * E-press release Opinion editorial Photovoice Resolution

◦ Legislative update presentation

◦ Papers: Legislative Day, MDG Intervention plan

Undergrad◦ Thought papers

from Unnatural Causes

◦ E-press release◦ Position statement◦ Video/Audio

posting◦ Photovoice◦ Legislative update

presentation

Instructor Guide; The California Endowment

Responsibility ContinuumResponsibility Continuum

Down-stream: Individual behavior

Change is a choice

Responsibility of individual

Up-stream: Social Issue

Guidelines/policies set for the good of all

Community Response-ability

Individual responsibility on one extreme and complete restriction of such for the publics’ good on the other extreme

Tobacco Smokers Tobacco Smokers exampleexampleSmokers have the right to chooseSmokers are addicted

◦Which is correct?

Personal Responsibility

Institutional Accountability

How Social Issues Look

Social Issues are Needed Social Issues are Needed When…When…

Society gains more benefits by collective rules/policies rather than by individual choice

Target persons do not have much control

Environmental factors cause problems that cannot be changed by a person alone

Individual’s ability to sustain change is limited

Student Successes from Policy Student Successes from Policy AnalysesAnalyses

Legislative action:◦2009 bill authorized expanded

interpretative services for non English speakers seeking health information or health care

◦2010 Tobacco tax: from $.695 to $1.30/pack

Legislative Public Health Day◦Meet and mingle, UPHA

Professional Presentations◦APHA, SOPHE