301.645.01 HEALTH ADVOCACY

Prepares health professionals, (from government health officials, business leaders, non-profit organization representatives to scientists) to advance public health policy improvements. Through lectures, extensive group exercises and a "mock" congressional hearing, students develop the skills to evaluate the policymaking process, create opportunities to inform and influence policymaking, and become more effective in translating and communicating in a policymaking environment.

After completion of this course, you will be able to: * Assess a public health problem and determine tactically when to solve the problem with policy strategies versus behavioral education; * Analyze the legislative, administrative and judicial intervention points for policymaking and identify where to effectively target advocacy efforts; * Identify and evaluate advocacy strategies, such as coalitions, grassroots, and paid and earned media outreach, in order to create specific advocacy campaigns; * Dissect policy-oriented communications and develop personal skills to effectively translate and advocate for public health improvements to policymakers, the press and the public.