Weekend action: speak up for public health

As I posted last week, the New York Times has a handy guide to how to participate in politics.

The American Public Health Association (APHA) also has a guide, Speak for Health, specifically focused on lobbying on behalf of health.

The guide explains how to be effective in reaching lawmakers and their staff.  It suggests how you can:

• Meet with your members of Congress or their staff, or invite them to visit you.
• Attend a public forum and ask a question.
• Submit an op-ed to your local paper. Email APHA for a template letter or technical assistance.
• Use Facebook or Twitter to engage your members of Congress. Make sure to use #SpeakForHealth!
• Email or call your members of Congress. Use an APHA action alert as a phone script or email message. It’s quick and easy.

These ideas work for agriculture, food, and nutrition issues too.  Use them.