Welcome!
The Virginia Public Health Association (VAPHA) is an alliance of multi-disciplinary health professionals from the public and private sectors committed to improving the health of all Virginians.
The Association, founded in 1950, represents the public's interest in the health of all Virginia residents, and we are affiliated with the American Public Health Association.
VAPHA Co-Sponsors Upcoming Tobacco Use Control and Healthy Communities Annual Conference/Training on November 4, 2010!
VAPHA and the Virginia Department of Health invite you to attend an upcoming Tobacco Use Control and Healthy Communities Annual Conference/Training event entitled “Clearing the Air through Environmental, Systems, and Policy Changes: A Road Map for Healthy Communities” on November 4, 2010 in Richmond, Virginia.
Featuring nationally renowned speakers providing the latest information on being tobacco free and leading a healthy lifestyle, sessions aim to activate Virginia’s communities to become healthy through policy, system, and environmental changes. Increase your knowledge and ability to promote clean air, to understand Virginia tobacco policies, and promote cessation programs by attending this exciting event. For more information on the event and registration details, please click here.
Public Health ACTion (PHACT) Campaign
The American Public Health Association is asking members and affilates to reach out to their congressional delegation
in their home districts to express support for public health funding,
healthy transportation policies, and improving child nutrition and
wellness policies that build healthy communities. Please see the PHACT Pledge.
VAPHA Annual Meeting "Innovation for Behavior Change: The Future is Now"
This year's meeting featured a panel of researchers who presented innovative ways to change behaviors through the use of on-line computer games, video games, computer based activities, and a quitline initiative. In addition to these presentations, there was a poster session and brief business meeting, where VAPHA members voted on and passed proposed amendments to VAPHA's governing documents.
Virginia County Health Rankings Released
Virginia counties were ranked by health factors and by health outcomes. Please see countyhealthrankings.org for more information and the report. More information can be found in an article in the Washington Post.
A New Lease on Life: Health for Virginians with Mental Illness
On February 2, 2010, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell helped launch a $2 million public/private initiative for uninsured Virginians with mental illness that he fostered a year ago, while he was Attorney General. The program, known as A New Lease on Life: Health for Virginians with Mental Illness, is a collaborative effort of the Virginia Health Care Foundation, the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards, the Virginia Association of Free Clinics, the Virginia Community Healthcare Association, and the Office of the Attorney General. Funds will underwrite nine grants throughout the state, and enable health safety net providers to treat uninsured Virginians suffering from anxiety, depression or other basic mental illnesses.
To learn more and to see a list of funded projects, please click A New Lease on Life: Health for Virginians with Mental Illness.
VAPHA Joins Healthcare For All Virginians
The VAPHA Board recently made a decision to join Healthcare For All Virginians, a coalition made up of over 60 organizations dedicated to making quality healthcare accessible and affordable throughout Virginia. Healthcare For All Virginians believes that individual health and well being is intertwined with the health and well-being of the broader community, and that access to healthcare is an essential element contributing to the common good. To find out more about this coalition and their efforts to make Virginia a leader in healthcare, please visit Healthcare For All Virginians.
Have You Visited Virginia's New Social Network Website to Advance Health Equity?
VAPHA's efforts to create health equity in Virginia are ongoing! After attending our Health Equity Conference last September, many of you are looking for ways to advance health equity across Virginia. Please join the new social network website where you can:
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Start discussions and answer questions in the forum
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Write your own blog posts and share comments on other posts
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Add events and upload photos and videos
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Identify collaborators to engage in activities to promote health equity
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View presentations from the Health Equity Conference
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and more!
We hope you’ll take advantage of this website on a routine basis to learn, ask questions, share, and connect with others who also want to advance health equity across the Commonwealth!
Let's Move!
Michelle Obama has announced Let's Move! America's Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids. The program focus is on healthy choices, healthy schools, physical activity and accessible and affordable healthy food.
Archived Public Health News
