Category: Policy and Advocacy

Action Alert: Call your senators today and urge them to lift the ban on CDC research on gun violence

by ihsection, posted in Action Alert, APHA IH Section, Policy and Advocacy, Research, Section Announcements

Sent on behalf of Paul Freeman, IH Section, Action Board

In 2016, the scientific community labeled gun violence a public health crisis and called for a greater public health response including federal research. We desperately need action on gun violence and prevention, but evidence-based decisions can’t be made because of an anti-science ban on research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Call your senators today and urge them to lift the ban on CDC research on gun violence.

Congress is working right now to put the finishing touches on its spending bill, which means that now is the perfect time to ask your senators to lift the ban on gun violence research at the CDC.
Call 855-589-5698 to reach the Capital switchboard and Press 1 to connect to your Senators. Dial in again and Press 2 to connect to your Representative.
Example Script

Hi, my name is ______, and I’m calling from [town/city]. 

I’m calling to express my strong opposition to the budget rider that bans the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from researching gun violence. 

With deaths and injuries mounting from gun violence in our schools and communities, we need the federal government to study this problem and offer effective, evidence-based solutions to this crisis.

Putting our public dollars behind this problem is critical – we cannot continue to offer only thoughts and prayers, we must act. 

I urge [Senator X] to remove the anti-science rider that prevents the CDC from conducting research on gun violence from the spending bill. 

Thank you for your time.

IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied

Gun violence is a leading cause of premature death in the U.S. Guns kill almost 30,000 people and cause 60,000 injuries each year. As a longtime advocate for violence prevention policies, APHA recognizes a comprehensive public health approach to addressing this growing crisis is necessary.

The issue of gun violence is complex and deeply rooted in our culture, which is why we must take a public health approach to ensuring our families and communities are safe. We must place a renewed emphasis on improving gun injury and violence research. Ongoing work is needed to ensure firearms do not fall into the wrong hands and to expand access to mental health services to those who need it most.

If you are interested in a sample op-ed, letter to the editor or technical support to help reach your local media, please contact APHA Media Relations.

Visit APHA’s website to learn more about this issue and how you can take action.

Did you know condoms are considered immoral in some countries?

by kimberly levitt, posted in APHA IH Section, HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ Health, Policy and Advocacy

Condoms have been around since 1855. Crazy, right? Not so long ago, one of the main purposes of condoms was to protect soldiers in World War II against STI’s. Not a lot of things have changed since then. There’s actually more and more reasons now why condoms are useful- it is accessible, it does not have side effects, it lowers risk of STI’s and HIV, and does not change the menstrual cycle like birth control does. That being said, there are several countries in the world that believe condoms and contraceptives are immoral. The below countries and its leaders blast condom use as dangerous. Their anti-condom rhetoric is bringing down youth and many others and could ultimately hurt the world. Continue reading “Did you know condoms are considered immoral in some countries?” →

Event Invitation: Taking the Pulse of the Expanded Mexico City Policy, 10/19

by ihsection, posted in APHA IH Section, Events and Webinars, Human Rights, Policy and Advocacy, Women's Health

Posted on behalf of Laura Altobelli, IH Section Chair

Here is an opportunity to hear early research findings on application of Trump’s expanded Global Gag Rule on reproductive health as well as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in 7 countries.

—————–

The Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE), Human Rights Watch (HRW), and the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) in cooperation with Senator Blumenthal and Senator Shaheen

We invite you to a briefing:

Taking the Pulse of the Expanded Mexico City Policy

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM

CAPITOL VISITORS CENTER, SVC209

First St NE, Washington, D.C. 20515

Refreshments served. Space is limited. RSVP to Annerieke Smaak (asmaak@genderhealth.org).

The Trump Administration’s “Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance” policy, also known as the global gag rule, is currently due for a six-month review. This expansion and re-branding of the “Mexico City Policy” encompasses all global health assistance, including funds to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Expert speakers will share new research findings on the early impacts of this policy in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. They will also shed light on how previous versions of the policy relate to abortion rates, maternal mortality, and other areas of global health.

Speakers:

Bergen Cooper, Director of Policy Research, Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE)

Vanessa Rios, Program Officer, International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC)

Skye Wheeler, Emergencies Researcher, Women’s Rights, Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Moderator – Nina Besser Doorley, Senior Program Officer, IWHC

IHSC career development webinar recording “En Route from the Ebola Tent to Congress” now available

by ihsection, posted in APHA IH Section, Careers, Events and Webinars, Policy and Advocacy, Section Announcements, Stories from the Field

The APHA International Health Student Committee hosted a webinar called “En Route from the Ebola Tent to Congress” on September 27, 2017 with Deborah Wilson, RN and MPH candidate at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Debbie led an interactive webinar walking attendees through a day in the life of an Ebola Treatment Center, including a bit about the political fallout upon returning to the USA, and how her experiences shifted her from direct patient care to public health policy.

If you have any questions, please email: apha.ihsc.careers@gmail.com

NASEM interactive resource available exploring global health and the future role of the US #USglobalhealth

by ihsection, posted in APHA IH Section, Policy and Advocacy

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has recently developed a new interactive global health resource, which serves as a one-stop shop for exploring the recent report: “Global Health and the Future Role of the United States.”

Complete with new videos, infographics, and shareable, data-rich content, this resource provides visitors with an in-depth look at the report’s findings — detailing why and how to continue America’s commitment to global health, as well as 14 recommendations to guide U.S. action in improving the health of the world’s population. The videos featured highlight the United States’ legacy in global health, in addition to the linkages between investing in global health and national security.

Help spread the work on this important resource, using #USglobalhealth on social media.