More than 100 students, faculty, staff, and advocates from across Colorado gathered at the State Capitol for the annual Public Health Advocacy Day. Each year, the Colorado Public Health Association (CPHA) partners with the Colorado School of Public Health (CoSPH) for this event, aimed at connecting public health professionals with policymakers.
The day offered an opportunity to learn about the state government, talk about current public health legislation, and meet with local representatives. This year, advocating for public health is more important than ever as funding cuts are being considered at the federal level.
The event began with a presentation from Travis Leiker, assistant dean of external relations, providing attendees an update on recent initiatives and educational programs at the School, and from Dede de Percin, the new executive director of CPHA.
School visitors heard from Chris Stiffler, senior economist from the Colorado Fiscal Institute on Colorado's budget priorities and the complex federal funding landscape that impacts public health initiatives. Understanding the financial landscape is key, as Stiffler highlighted how budget decisions at both the state and federal levels directly influence program implementation and service delivery in communities across Colorado. Participants gained a better understanding of the economic factors that can both hold back and support public health efforts in the state.
The legislative overview and Advocacy 101 session, led by Lorez Meinhold and Lyn Riebel, co-chairs of the CPHA Policy Committee. They led an educational session on legislative processes and advocacy fundamentals. The presenters distinguished between advocacy and lobbying. Advocacy includes community organizing, public education, coalition building, and strategic messaging. Participants learned how public policy affects health service access, available services, and program funding.
Meinhold and Riebel identified three requirements for effective public health policy: reliable evidence, input from affected communities, and informed decision-makers who understand policy implications. They also provided additional tips for future lobbying efforts, such as becoming an expert in topic areas, localizing issues, being concise and clear in meetings, knowing your allies and opponents, and following up promptly with information. Personal connections to issues make advocacy more compelling, and identifying yourself as a constituent can help gain a legislator's attention.
