Advocacy is a key skill set for large-scale social change, as well as one of the responsibilities and competencies of health educators of certified health education specialists.  We must not only understand the social and behavioral conditions that shape population health, but also the best ways to change those conditions.  Often this involves advocacy activities, in order to bring about the needed change in those conditions; and many times this involves policy.

The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing process very clearly states our professional responsibilities for advocacy.    Area V of our professional competencies  call upon us to 5.1) Identify a current or emerging health issue requiring policy, systems, or environmental change, 5.2) Engage coalitions and stakeholders in addressing the health issue and planning advocacy efforts. 5.3) Engage in Advocacy and 5.4) Evaluate Advocacy.

Simply put, public health educators are all about change, and raising up our voices in order to bring about changes that will improve the conditions that matter to people's health.  As Dr. Martin Luther King stated, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter".

Advocacy work is an important part of the practice of health education.  If you would like to join the advocacy committee, or simply want to become engaged in Minnesota SOPHE's advocacy work in some other matter, feel free to contact the Advocacy Committee chair, Lauren Witt at witt.m.lauren@gmail.com.