APHA Membership: What's in It for Me, You Ask?

Why should I be a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA)? Do I need to know about pasteurization, water sanitation and microbial agents? How will this help my patients? What's in it for me? If these are the questions you ask yourself when you hear about APHA, this article is for you.

The APHA is an organization committed to promoting health and preventing disease. It is active in influencing public policies and setting priorities for the nation's public health. Chiropractors deal with public health concerns every day, whether it be counseling on diet and nutrition or talking to a patient about quitting smoking. There is a place in APHA for you and for every chiropractor in America!

Most likely, this isn't the first time you've been asked to join APHA, and yes, we're here to do it again. Here's what's in it for you, as a chiropractor and health care professional:

1. Keep informed. As a member, you receive free subscriptions to the American Journal of Public Health and The Nation's Health. They provide the latest information on a wide spectrum of topics including health education, administration, legislative policy issues, epidemiology, health promotion and more. This allows you to provide your patients with the most current health information.
2. Networking opportunities. The APHA has over 50,000 public health professionals representing more than 50 public health disciplines and government agencies. The annual conference attracts over 14,000 attendees each year. This provides unique opportunities to develop new professional relationships. Student members also benefit from an organized mentoring program.
3. Discounted resources. Members receive a discount on the purchase of books and resources.
4. Career resources. CareerMart is an online resource center where you can browse job openings, post your employment opportunities and obtain career development services.
5. Educate others. Through interactions with chiropractors and other health professionals, you will be able to promote chiropractic philosophy and help others better understand what chiropractors do.
6. Get involved. All members have a voice in public health issues. Within the Chiropractic Health Care Section of the APHA, numerous leadership opportunities exist. If you want to be involved and make a difference, there is a place for you.

And If That's Not Enough Reason

Without you, we're in danger of losing our section status. The chiropractic profession fought hard for several years to attain many things within the APHA. As a full section, we are given:

• full equity, parity, and participation with all other sections of the APHA, including eligibility to make nominations and comments on various issues via regular section communication channels;
• seats on the governing council, the policy-making body of APHA, in proportion to our size;
• three seats on the intersectional council, which facilitates communication between sections and allows for discussion of common issues;
• one position on the APHA membership committee;
• one position on the APHA program planning committee;
• one position on the action board.

These privileges of section status give the chiropractic profession an opportunity to remain visible in the public health arena. Without our continued presence as a section, we have no power to direct future policies that may affect the way you as a chiropractor practice. We urge you to consider how you as an individual can benefit, not only yourself, but also an entire profession by joining the APHA. Both the ACA and the ICA have endorsed membership in the APHA. To find out more and to become a member, or to renew and rejoin if your membership has lapsed, visit the APHA Web site (www.apha.org) or complete the application form printed on page 50 of the May 22, 2006 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic.