Public Health Advocacy Academy from edX

Public health students across the country are incredibly qualified to be powerful advocates, but they often don’t have training to turn research and evidence into law, policy, and funding. Using real-life public health examples, this course teaches every tactic in the book to create change.

Expert speakers include:

Flint, Michigan’s water crisis advocate Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH
AIDS activist and lawyer, who led a successful class action to gain recognition for women to receive HIV/AIDS diagnoses, Terry McGovern, JD
Founder of West Harlem Environmental Action (WE ACT), who succeeded in turning NYC’s bus fleet hybrid electric, Peggy Shepard
Civil rights activist from Mississippi Freedom Summer, Bob Fullilove, EdD
Expert health lobbyist, Ross Frommer, JD
Public health graduate and elected official, Michelle Au, MD, MPH
And many more

What you'll learn

Why advocacy is a core competency for all public health professionals, and why public health students are needed to do it
How to identify and research policy issues and the target for your campaign
Public health strategy and tactics
Power mapping
Coalition-building, communication, and movement-building
Lobbying, legislative action, and appropriations
Leading election campaigns, voting, and running for office
Implementing administrative advocacy and petitions
Organizing boycotts
Filing lawsuits and impact litigation
Taking direct action

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Designed for public health students who seek advocacy training

Taught by successful advocates in public health

Covers a comprehensive range of advocacy strategies and tactics

Builds a solid foundation for public health students interested in advocacy

Could be more engaging with interactive materials and hands-on activities

May be less beneficial for students with no prior knowledge of public health

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Public Health Advocacy Academy with these activities:

Read "How to Win Friends and Influence People"

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Gain insights into effective communication and persuasion for public health advocacy.

View Melania on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of "How to Win Friends and Influence People"
Read the book and take notes
Reflect on the lessons you learned from the book

Practice public speaking

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Practice public speaking to improve communication and advocacy skills.

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Join a public speaking group
Attend public speaking workshops
Practice giving speeches in front of a mirror
Give speeches to friends and family
Record yourself giving speeches and review your performance

Learn about the Flint water crisis

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Review the Flint water crisis to understand the challenges of public health advocacy.

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Watch a documentary about the Flint water crisis
Read articles about the Flint water crisis
Attend a lecture about the Flint water crisis

Five other activities

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Discuss public health advocacy strategies with classmates

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Connect and engage with classmates to discuss public health advocacy ideas and approaches.

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Form a study group with classmates
Meet regularly to discuss public health advocacy strategies
Share research and resources with each other
Provide feedback on each other's advocacy plans

Volunteer for a public health organization

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Volunteer to gain practical experience in public health advocacy

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Identify a public health organization to volunteer for
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend volunteer training
Participate in volunteer activities

Attend a public health advocacy workshop

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Deepen your understanding and enhance your practical skills.

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Research public health advocacy workshops
Identify a workshop that aligns with your interests
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop and participate actively
Follow up with the workshop organizers or presenters

Create a social media campaign about a public health issue

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Develop a creative and engaging social media campaign on a public health issue to raise awareness

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Choose a public health issue to focus on
Develop a social media strategy
Create social media content
Promote your social media campaign
Track and evaluate the results of your social media campaign

Develop a public health advocacy plan

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Synthesize your understanding of public health advocacy by developing a comprehensive plan.

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Identify a public health issue to focus on
Research the issue and identify potential solutions
Develop a plan to advocate for your solution
Identify potential partners and stakeholders
Develop a budget and timeline for your advocacy plan

Career center

Learners who complete Public Health Advocacy Academy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public Health Advocate

Public Health Advocates will develop public health strategies and tactics by taking Public Health Advocacy Academy. It will help you become a strong advocate for public health issues.

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Public Health Consultant

Public Health Consultants will benefit from taking Public Health Advocacy Academy. It will help you to learn how to work with clients to improve their public health outcomes.

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Healthcare Lobbyist

Healthcare Lobbyists will find Public Health Advocacy Academy useful for developing the lobbying skills necessary to succeed in the role.

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Political Campaign Manager

Political Campaign Managers may find Public Health Advocacy Academy useful as it helps students to develop their skills in leading election campaigns, voting, and running for office.

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Lobbyist

Public Health Advocacy Academy would be useful to Lobbyists wanting to work in public health. It covers the tactics used to create change in public health policy.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts can use Public Health Advocacy Academy to develop their skills in identifying and researching policy issues.

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Program Manager

Program Managers at public health organizations may find Public Health Advocacy Academy helpful as it will teach you the skills necessary to successfully manage public health programs, including coalition-building, communication, and movement-building.

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Legislator

If you want to become a Legislator, then Public Health Advocacy Academy may be useful. The course will teach you the public health strategy and tactics necessary to advance your public health agenda as a legislator.

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Physician

Physicians who want to become advocates for their patients may find Public Health Advocacy Academy useful for its training in turning research and evidence into law, policy, and funding.

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Public Health Researcher

Public Health Researchers will find Public Health Advocacy Academy useful for its training in turning research and evidence into law, policy, and funding.

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Health Educator

Health Educators are responsible for educating people about public health issues. This may involve grassroots organizing and community outreach. Public Health Advocacy Academy may be useful as it covers some of these topics.

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Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists often have to know how to work with community members and advocate for ordinances that they believe will help improve the local environment. Public Health Advocacy Academy may be useful in helping you develop the skills to make this happen.

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Teacher

Public Health Advocacy Academy may be helpful to Teachers who want to teach public health issues in their classrooms. It covers the core competencies that all public health professionals should have.

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Social Worker

Social Workers may find Public Health Advocacy Academy useful as some of the skills covered could be used in their role, such as coalition-building and communication.

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Community Health Worker

As a Community Health Worker you will get involved in community advocacy in order to improve health outcomes. Even if you have no background in this field, Public Health Advocacy Academy may be useful as it teaches you the tactics used during community advocacy.

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Public Health Advocacy Academy

What you'll learn

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