For science. For action. For health. With those six words, APHA revealed a new vision and future for the Association during its 141st Annual Meeting and Exposition in November.
To health workers, policymakers and advocates, APHA has long been a champion of health for all, working for almost a century and a half to protect and improve the public’s health. And with the unveiling of the “new APHA” in Boston, the Association has poised itself to meet new and evolving challenges.
Announced at the Annual Meeting opening session with a video, “Together, We Can Do Better,” the new APHA includes a new logo, tagline and values for the Association, and challenges members and supporters to build a proactive movement for health.
“Now is a time to reposition APHA to achieve our mission,” said APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD, at the opening session. “That mission is to improve the health of the public and achieve health equity for all. Together, we will build a movement for public health. Today, we start the quest to be the healthiest nation in one generation.”
Annual Meeting attendees interact with the Association’s new logo at a membership photo booth at the meeting expo.
The mission is the foundation for the new APHA, according to Lisa Carlson, MPH, MCHES, chair of APHA’s Executive Board. To Carlson, the new APHA means that “We’re a home for public health workers from all around the world and all disciplines.” The changes to the Association come at a critical time for public health, particularly in relation to funding and infrastructure, and will help make APHA more recognizable as a resource for the field, she said.
“It’s a good time for members to renew their connection to APHA,” Carlson told The Nation’s Health. “APHA’s strength is in its membership, in its collective voice. I think this is exciting for us. I think everyone should be excited.”
APHA leaders and staff have been working during the past year to create the new APHA, using input gathered from members and partners. The work defined five values for the Association: community, science and evidence-based decision-making, health equity, prevention and wellness, and real progress in improving health.
The new APHA is well-positioned to meet those values, according to APHA member Tom Quade, MPH, MA, CPH, who recently finished his term as chair of APHA’s Executive Board.
“Our members are the most diverse collection of public health professionals one could assemble anywhere, but we share a common chorus in our pursuit of the health of the population,” Quade told The Nation’s Health. “We recognize that it takes the full complement of public health professionals acting together to be impactful. The new APHA is our springboard to advance the science of public health, which informs our action and will result in a healthier population.”
Beyond the opening session, Annual Meeting attendees were able to engage with the new APHA at leadership meetings and other events, including an APHA photo booth in the expo where attendees had their picture taken with the new logo. One of the places where members discussed the new APHA was at the Governing Council meeting, where it was met with acclaim.
“I think it’s an appropriate shift in our focus,” said former APHA President Pat Mail, PhD, MPH, CHES. “It’s time we broadened our base to develop new partnerships, involve new people. And I love the colors. I really like it.”
The colorful new APHA logo, which includes the new tagline, debuted at the 141st Annual Meeting in Boston in November.
Also receiving an enthusiastic response was the Association’s new tagline: “For science. For action. For health.” The tagline, which appears as part of the Association’s new logo, is based on three principles, according to APHA:
“For science” shows APHA’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge research and promoting best practices.
“For action” demonstrates how APHA advocates to put innovative policies and programs into practice.
“For health” highlights the Association’s work to improve the health of all people and all communities.
One of the most visible changes for APHA is its new logo. While the logo maintains some components of the Association’s old look, it has fresh lettering and a range of colors, and in the words of APHA member Sharon Rudy, PhD, BCC, a governing councilor, is “simple, clean” and has “plenty of white space.”
The new APHA also includes an updated description of the Association that focuses on APHA’s strengths and purpose.
“The American Public Health Association champions the health of all people and all communities,” reads the new description. “We strengthen the profession of public health, share the latest research and information, promote best practices and advocate for public health issues and policies grounded in research. We are the only organization that combines a 140-plus-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health.”
APHA member Marian Levy, DrPH, RD, another governing councilor, echoed others’ enthusiasm for the new APHA, also describing it as exciting.
“I think we need (the changes) to be more effective and have more influence,” Levy said. “I hope we…have a broader reach and ultimately, improve the health of the nation.”
The new APHA is part of ongoing efforts to revitalize the organization and meet the needs of the public health workforce. In recent years, the Association has created new tools and services for its membership, including year-round online continuing education, free apps for smartphones and tablets and an online news service, Public Health Newswire. The Association also now offers podcasts and information in multiple languages. A new APHA website is expected to debut this year.
“The mission and new values as spelled out under the new APHA are natural next steps for the organization,” said Susan Polan, PhD, APHA’s associate executive director for public affairs and advocacy. “This new vision will guide us as we continue to evolve, expand our reach and meet new health challenges.”
To view the video that introduced the new APHA at the Annual Meeting, visit www.apha.org/about. For more information, email comments{at}apha.org or call 202-777-2742.
- Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association
