INFLUENCING POLICIES
ENACT STRATEGY: Advocate
Participate in the public policy process to highlight the need for community changes to improve eating and activity habits
Successful advocacy plays a critical role in raising awareness and bringing about positive community change. Contacting public officials is an effective form of advocacy and, with enough volume, can convince leadership to make policy-level changes in the nutrition and physical activity environments.
Public officials can be contacted in various ways, including:
- Letters
- Emails
- In-person visits
- Phone calls
- Testimony
The American Medical Association
The AMA website includes a grassroots action center with tools and resources for physicians and others to make a difference!
The "How to Advocate" tab on the California Food Policy Advocates website offers rules, instructions, and tools to become a successful advocate.
The CMA Foundation’s Obesity Policy Clearinghouse provides support to physicians working on issues surrounding obesity, nutrition, and physical activity.
Physicians for Healthy Communities Toolkit
The Physicians for Healthy Communities Initiative provides physicians with training on community collaboration, nutrition messages, and advocacy techniques to promote healthy eating and active living throughout California. This toolkit includes Power Point presentations and talking points to use when educating or advocating for policy and environmental changes.
Center for Science in the Public Interest
CSPI is a consumer advocacy organization that works to ensure that government policies and corporate practices promote healthy diets, prevent deceptive marketing practices, and ensure that science is used to promote the public welfare. Check out their resources to help effectively advocate for policies promoting nutrition and physical activity.
California Center for Public Health Advocacy
CCPHA is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that raises awareness about critical public health issues and mobilizes communities to promote the establishment of effective state and local health policies. Their work primarily addresses the childhood obesity epidemic through advocating for policies such as menu labeling, soda bans in schools, and limits on marketing to children.
Professional Associations
Professional associations such as the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, and the
California Medical Association are powerful advocates for influencing policy and organizational practices, and can educate providers on the issues and how to get involved.
State and Federal Government
Advocating for policy change at the state and federal levels is key to improving eating and activity environments. Contact the California State Legislature, the United States Senate, and the United State House of Representatives.