Advocacy

Founded in 1872, the American Public Health Association (APHA) is the oldest, largest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. The association works to protect all Americans and their communities from preventable, serious health threats. APHA represents a broad array of health officials, educators, environmentalists, policy-makers and health providers at all levels working both within and outside governmental organizations and educational institutions. Information about disparities in health literacy including a health disparities data base may be found at this site along with advocacy tips and resources, educational opportunities and publications related to public health.

Americans for Better Care of the Dying goals are to: build momentum for reform; explore new methods and systems for delivering care; and shape public policy through evidence-based understanding.

Every dying person needs to be able to count on excellent care. Americans for Better Care of the Dying (ABCD) aims to improve end-of-life care by learning which social and political changes will lead to enduring, efficient, and effective programs. ABCD works with the public, clinicians, policymakers, and other end-of-life organizations to make change happen.

ABCD President Joanne Lynn, MD is one of the foremost national leaders in this movement and the author of Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness; and Improving Care for the End of Life. Extensive excerpts from both of these books are accessible via the ABCD website

The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) is a national initiative supported by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with direction and technical assistance provided by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (NY). CAPC provides health care professionals with the tools and training necessary to start and sustain successful palliative care programs.

CAPC publishes The Case for Hospital-Based Palliative Care – Why leading hospitals are starting palliative care programs to provide high-quality, effective management of advanced illness. Other publications include The Guide to Building A Hospital-Based Palliative Care Program, a how-to handbook with step-by-step guidance.

Overview

The Community Network for Appropriate Technologies was incorporated in 1978 as a federally recognized nonprofit, tax-exempt educational and charitable organization. Susan Keller, Executive Director and Principal Planner, founded the Community Network based on principles which she developed and employed in the Midwest while facilitating creation of a nationally prominent library council.

The general focus of our work is the development of cooperative working relationships within individual organizations, and across organizational and political boundaries. Our overall goal is the development of programs, services, and organizations that are socially, economically, and ecologically sound.

Since 1992, the Cross Cultural Health Care Program (CCHCP) has been addressing broad cultural issues that impact the health of individuals and families in ethnic minority communities in Seattle and nationwide.

Through a combination of cultural competency trainings, interpreter trainings, research projects, community coalition building, and other services, the CCHCP serves as a bridge between communities and health care institutions to ensure full access to quality health care that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. For more information contact CCHCP

The National Alliance for Caregiving was created to conduct research, do policy analysis, develop national programs and increase public awareness of family caregiving issues. The Alliance’s mission is to be the objective national resource on family caregiving with the goal of improving the quality of life for families and care recipients. Established in 1996, NCA is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregiving. Alliance members include grassroots organizations, professional associations, service organizations, disease-specific organizations, a government agency, and corporations.