APHA is mobilizing its members, affiliates, and other advocates to educate their members of Congress on important public health issues that help to build and maintain healthy communities. APHA will provide assistance to help members and affiliates reach out to their congressional delegation in their states to express support for increasing critical funding for public health agencies and protecting the Prevention and Public Health Fund.

Dear public health advocate, APHA’s PHACT Campaign is in full swing! Members of Congress are at home in their states and districts for the Fourth of July recess from June 30–July 8, and they need to hear from advocates like you about the importance of public health funding for building and maintaining healthy communities. This year, the ongoing debates over the federal budget are putting funding for programs that protect our health at risk. Many public health programs are being forced to do more with fewer resources in communities across the country, and the cuts Congress is proposing threaten the vitality of our public health system. Members of Congress need to know that votes to cut public health funding jeopardize the health of our communities. Take action today to protect these important programs! Send your members of Congress a message. We need them to step up and protect the health of their constituents and progress of their nation by supporting public health funding. Through the Public Health Action (PHACT) Campaign, APHA is providing the tools you need to be an effective advocate for public health. There are lots of opportunities to engage your legislators over the Fourth of July recess including:  • Attend a pre-scheduled town hall or tele-town hall meeting, and ask your member of  Congress where they stand on public health issues. (An updated list is posted weekly!) • Schedule a meeting with your members of Congress or their staff in the local district office to talk about public health. • Write a letter to the editor or op-ed to your local paper highlighting the importance of public health funding in your community (samples are available from APHA). • Call or email your members of Congress and ask them to support public health funding. The PHACT website will be updated throughout the campaign with additional materials, including times and dates of town hall meetings in your congressional district and space for you to share the important public health advocacy activities you participated in — so check back often! Questions about how to get involved? Email us at PHACT@apha.org.