We are Generation Public Health

By now, you’ve likely heard about Generation Public Health, APHA’s new movement to create the healthiest nation in one generation. You’ve also likely heard all the reasons to join and sign our pledge too, such as America’s poor showing in health outcomes and life expectancy when compared to many other high-income nations. But we’d like to offer a few more reasons you might not have heard just yet.

First, social justice. There’s lots of efforts and activities going on around the country that focus on improving people’s health. But there’s no cohesive health movement that outspokenly elevates the tenets of social justice as key determinants in improving U.S. health outcomes. At APHA, we know that we can’t achieve our healthiest nation goal without speaking out on social issues such as income inequality, discrimination and human rights. When you join Generation Public Health, you’re joining a movement of people who know that good health is built on a foundation of equality.

Second, prevention. With the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, policymakers and health care systems are zeroing in on how to deliver the highest-quality care and reduce costly hospital re-admissions. This is fantastic and desperately needed. But we simply can’t improve health in the long term and in a sustainable fashion without an equal amount of attention and support for community-based prevention efforts that utilize proven public health approaches. Generation Public Health is dedicated to educating the public about the power of prevention (both health wise and economically) and rallying diverse support to make prevention a priority in our health care system.

Third, health in all policies. For all of us in public health, considering the health implications of policy decisions across sectors just makes sense. Health is everywhere and so everyone must consider health. It’s a no-brainer. But a health-in-all-policies framework is still very much an emerging trend – in other words, it’s not being used nearly as much as it should be and there’s plenty of stakeholders who have no idea that they can affect positive health change. Elevating and educating about a health-in-all-policies approach is a Generation Public Health priority and we need your help to spread the word. In fact, a health-in-all-policies approach is the perfect tool to engage nontraditional partners in our goal to create the healthiest nation in one generation.

So, have we convinced you yet? Join Generation Public Health today and sign APHA’s pledge to do your part in creating a healthier nation for all.