Member Groups in Brief
======================


## Section shares tips on accessibility

APHA’s Disability Section strived to make social media posts more accessible during APHA’s 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo.

As Annual Meeting attendees used Twitter to post messages about the event, the Disability Section reminded users to include alternative text for the images they shared. When alternative text is used with an image on Twitter, people with visual impairment can use technology to hear a description of the photo. Without it, they can be left out.

Syreeta Nolan, student co-chair of Disability Section communications, spearheaded education outreach to people tweeting during APHA 2021. If someone used the meeting hashtag on Twitter and posted an image without alternative text, she replied through the Section’s account and let posters know how to use the feature. Many users said they were happy to learn about and use alternative text.

“It was my greatest hope that the lessons during the conference about accessible tweeting could be something that becomes a habit in public health science communications through Twitter,” said Nolan, co-founder and CEO of Disabled in Higher Ed, an organization that promotes accessibility in academia.

For a Twitter guide, visit [www.disabledinhighered.weebly.com](https://www.disabledinhighered.weebly.com).

![Figure1](http://www.thenationshealth.org/https://www.thenationshealth.org/content/nathealth/51/10/23/F1.medium.gif)

[Figure1](http://www.thenationshealth.org/content/51/10/23/F1)

A recording of the Food Systems Tour is available online for APHA 2021 participants.

Photo courtesy Deborah Klein Walker

## Food systems tour explores Denver

By using different host cities each year, APHA’s Annual Meeting and Expo not only allows for greater geographic diversity at each meeting, but also opportunities to learn from and about the local community.

Members of the APHA Food and Environment Working Group, a collaboration led by APHA’s Food and Nutrition and Environment Sections, have capitalized on the shifts in locales by holding a food tour in each host city. Now in its 12th year, the APHA Food Systems Tour visits organizations that promote healthy, sustainable practices.

To keep the event accessible to online meeting-goers, the event was held virtually during the October Annual Meeting.

Premiering on Oct. 21, the tour explored three projects that promote sustainability, nutritious eating and food justice, focusing on urban agriculture, hunger and resilience for Denver’s American Indian communities.

To watch a recording of the tour, visit [bit.ly/APHA2021FoodTour](https://bit.ly/APHA2021FoodTour).

![Figure2](http://www.thenationshealth.org/https://www.thenationshealth.org/content/nathealth/51/10/23/F2.medium.gif)

[Figure2](http://www.thenationshealth.org/content/51/10/23/F2)

The APHA Student Assembly held a virtual event during APHA 2021. The meeting focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic racism and the threat of misinformation.

Photo by The Nation’s Health

## Student leaders engage virtually

The APHA Student Assembly celebrated its 20th annual National Student Meeting at APHA’s 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo.

On Oct. 23, the group held its marquee meeting virtually for the second year. The event focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic racism and the exploding threat of misinformation.

José Ramón Fernández-Peña, MD, MPA, then-APHA president, thanked public health students for the commitments and contributions to public health, both now and in the future.

“You are the ones who will rise up and speak science to nonsense, use critical thinking skills and not sit down when communities are villainized,” he said.

Other meeting speakers highlighted the importance of social connections and peer support, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also shared insights on navigating media platforms to give sound public health messaging and entrepreneurship and innovation for emerging professionals.

For more information, visit [www.apha.org/membergroups/students](https://www.apha.org/membergroups/students).

![Figure3](http://www.thenationshealth.org/https://www.thenationshealth.org/content/nathealth/51/10/23/F3.medium.gif)

[Figure3](http://www.thenationshealth.org/content/51/10/23/F3)

William Sander, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, speaks about the connection between animal and human health at APHA 2021. The event was sponsored by APHA’s One Health SPIG, the new name for the veterinary group.

Photo by Michele Late

## Veterinary group becomes One Health

One of APHA’s member groups held its events at the 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo under a new moniker. In September, APHA’s Executive Board approved a request for the APHA Veterinary Special Interest Group to become the One Health SPIG.

The One Health name reflects the connection between human and animal health, showcasing their interconnected relationship. With many infectious diseases regularly originating in animals and spreading to humans, the two are inseparable.

The SPIG works to promote the optimal health of people, domestic animals, wildlife, plants and the environment.

The newly renamed group hosted a range of events during APHA 2021, including sessions that explored the links between veterinary health, human health, pandemics and ecosystems.

For more information, visit [bit.ly/OneHealthSPIG](https://bit.ly/OneHealthSPIG).

## Sections celebrate environmentalism

Three decades ago, a band of activists convened for the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit — an event that would have lasting impacts on the environmental justice movement.

The 1991 meeting established the foundation that environmental justice activists follow today, emphasizing the importance of self-determination for those who live on the front lines of climate injustice and formally declaring 17 key principles of environmental justice.

To commemorate the historic event, APHA’s Environment and Occupational Health and Safety Sections convened an anniversary celebration at APHA’s 2021 that reflected on the roots and future of the movements.

“Yes, the environmental justice movement has come a long way — but we have a long way to go,” said Brenda Mallory, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair, at the virtual event.

To watch a recording of the program, visit [www.youtube.com/aphadc](https://www.youtube.com/aphadc).

*— Aaron Warnick*

![Figure4](http://www.thenationshealth.org/https://www.thenationshealth.org/content/nathealth/51/10/23/F4.medium.gif)

[Figure4](http://www.thenationshealth.org/content/51/10/23/F4)

Former APHA President Deborah Klein Walker, EdD, models her Maternal and Child Health Section anniversary T-shirt during APHA 2021 in Denver.

Photo by The Nation’s Health

## Maternal and Child Health Section celebrates centennial anniversary

APHA’s Maternal and Child Health Section celebrated 100 years of service at the 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo.

Formed in 1921 as the Child Hygiene Section, the group expanded its mission and grew its membership to address a full range of maternal and child health issues, from health equity to gun violence. Section members and supporters marked 100 years of achievements during the APHA 2021 Martha May Elliot Forum in October.

*— Michele Late*

*Former APHA President Deborah Klein Walker, EdD, models her Maternal and Child Health Sectionanniversary T-shirt during APHA 2021 in Denver.*

*   Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association