Community Residents:

Take Action

Community residents are people who live, work, or play in a particular community. Community residents are the experts of their communities, and they are affected by state and local public health policies. They must have a seat at every table, where their voices and perspectives can inform decision-making and ensure that public health policies are truly equitable.

Community residents are powerful advocates for health and well-being, and they are important leaders for health. Through grassroots organizing and community building, residents mobilize collective action and advocate for policy changes. Their leadership generates innovative solutions, builds resilience, and advances sustainable improvements in communities.

1. Vote for health!
2. Using their expertise and lived experience to testify in public hearings, write letters to the editor, and meet with policymakers to share their first-hand experiences
3. Building a relationship with their state public health association to ensure the policy agenda and advocacy efforts reflect the needs of all community members 
4. Participating in advocacy events 
5. Encouraging other community members to get involved in advocacy and join their state public health association
6. Connect friends, family, and other community members to essential services and promote healthy habits

• Participate in APHA’s legislative action alerts and urge policymakers to vote for public health.
• Tap into APHA’s resources and Speak for Health.
• Stay up to date on APHA’s events and meetings.
• View the APHA Legislative Update page and stay informed about important federal legislative activity and notable state legislative activity.