Election End in Sight

And we're all holding our breath, trying not to jinx anything.

The campaign continues to be on everyone's mind, pepper everyone's conversation, and appear on all sorts of media. I think we're all ready to exhale, and hopeful for the best outcome for public health (you know who that is - I hope my in-laws are reading this...). Congressional staff continues to leave offices to work on campaigns.

The SOPHE/APHA meetings in San Diego were restorative - good to see friends and colleagues, get batteries recharged, new ideas and inspiring students and long-time leaders to learn from. It’s always a good recharge of batteries and sense of urgency of public health problems, listening for legislative policy solutions to some (and what I might be able to do), and the need for all to renew our efforts to address poverty, illiteracy, discrimination.

How proud I am to see former students in leadership positions, and new colleagues stepping up to new roles. It’s always great to see old friends and make new ones.

I had the chance to speak to the APHA board about the fellowship, and the benefits to me, public health and the Senate office. I would love to see the program expand, both in length and the number of fellows. My goal is to put my thoughts together for a practical article on what I've learned and how other public health workers, faculty and students can up their advocacy game.

I also had the chance to speak with the student caucus at SOPHE and the affiliate/section leaders at APHA about advocacy. We can certainly amplify our voices if we're speaking out (up?). My final presentation was on public health and the built environment, which has become one of my new passions.

Talking about advocacy reminded me that all of us need this preparation - in our courses, at our conferences, through the National Health Education Advocacy Summit [February 21-23, 2009 in Washington DC - http://www.healtheducationadvocate.org/Summit/he_advocacy_summit_2009_flyer.pdf], and with other opportunities - to remind us to respond to CapWiz alerts, call and visit our representatives, and mostly to pay attention, share our expertise, and hold our elected officials accountable.

In fact, the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship program is interested in public health professionals, so if you have any interest in being considered for a stint like mine on the Hill, their deadline is November 14th: http://www.healthpolicyfellows.org/.

Too much enthusiasm at the conference exhibit halls, as I ended up with too many handouts. This put my one checked luggage over the weight limit at the airport (I hate that – my valise, empty, feels like 20 lbs). I ended up having a third bag as carry-on, putting me over the limit. Thank goodness that Marc Zimmerman, despite back pain, schlepped my extra bag onto the plane as his, saving me potential embarrassment and a real dilemma (thanks, Marc!).

San Diego - gorgeous for the tourist: black ducks and brown pelicans, gardenia- smelling shrubs and birds of paradise as common as weeds, trolley to old town and SOPHE meeting, walking through Little Italy and Gaslamp districts, banquet at the zoo (and resisting sneaking onto the double decker bus taking the other party through the zoo on an evening tour), walking to the Midway aircraft carrier museum, and around the harbor parks, watching people, pets and plants. It was hard not to skip the sessions and play!

Meanwhile, in Washington DC the leaves changing, air is crisp, and I’m back to hot tea and oatmeal for breakfast, definitely a sign of fall.

So, remember to talk with family, neighbors and friends (or more), and VOTE!!