H2.01 - From Knowledge to Influence: How Advocacy Training Elevates Health Educators

Brief Abstract Summary: Advocacy is essential in the training of certified health education specialists (CHES), equipping them to effectively promote health perspectives. This presentation addresses the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application in advocacy training. Participants will explore a framework based on five key components of public health advocacy: issue identification, power and decision making, coalition building, communication tools and tactics. Through hands-on activities, they will practice developing advocacy strategies for specific public health problems. The session will also introduce vital communication tools to enhance advocacy efforts. Additionally, facilitators will lead a discussion on the effectiveness of these tools as foundational elements in collegiate advocacy curricula. By the end, participants will be better prepared to advocate for health issues, transforming their theoretical understanding into actionable skills.

Detailed abstract description: Advocacy is a cornerstone of the certified health education specialist (CHES) training, empowering health educators to articulate and promote health perspectives effectively. Despite the availability of numerous resources for developing advocacy skills, real-world applications often remain underrepresented in course designs. This presentation aims to bridge that gap by providing a comprehensive framework for creating effective advocacy strategies capable of driving change in public health.

The session will delve into the five key components of successful public health advocacy campaigns: issue identification, power and decision making, coalition building, communication tools and tactics. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, utilizing these components to develop a framework for addressing a specific public health problem. This interactive approach will enable participants to translate theoretical knowledge into practical skills, enhancing their ability to advocate for health issues in real-world settings.

Moreover, the presentation will introduce a variety of communication tools essential for effective advocacy. These tools will be explored in the context of the advocacy process, offering participants strategies to effectively convey their messages and mobilize support for their initiatives.
The facilitators will also conduct a guided discussion on the effectiveness of established advocacy tools, assessing their role as foundational methodologies in the development of collegiate-level advocacy curricula. This discourse aims to foster critical thinking about the integration of advocacy training within health education programs.

By the end of the presentation, participants will have gained valuable insights into the intricacies of public health advocacy and will be equipped with practical skills and resources to implement advocacy strategies in their professional practice. Through collaborative learning and exploration of real-world applications, this session promises to enhance the capacity of future health educators to become influential advocates for public health.