October 2018
 

Fall is in the air and with it is the reminder that a new legislative session is right around the corner. MPHA is  working on a refresh of our policy priorities, identifying new priorities, as well as recommitting to ongoing campaigns. Learn more, here .

I am honored to announce that MPHA is among the recipients of the Boston Children's Collaboration for Community Health Grant. This grant will support our work to ensure sustained funding and a strong program structure for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program, to increase healthy food access and good jobs in communities throughout the Commonwealth. Join us on October 30th for a program launch event and information session. More info, here.  

MPHA's Annual Conference is just a month away! Join us for a keynote and response panel on environmental justice and the social determinants of health and choose from 6 breakout sessions on variety of timely health equity topics. RSVP and get more info, here

Lastly, please take action to protect immigrant families. The Trump Administration recently proposed a "public charge" rule, which will force families to choose between their immigration status and their health. Please take a moment to comment on the proposed regulation. Learn more and take action, here

In partnership,
Carlene Pavlos
Executive Director
Important Announcement
Diane Jette
In Remembrance of a Friend and Colleague 

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of our friend and former colleague,  Diane Jette, who lost her courageous battle with cancer on September 4th, 2018.

Diane was MPHA's Operations Manager for five years before she left at the end of 2016 to take care of her health. During her time with MPHA, many of our members and partners got to know Diane, whose warmth and humor made her a quick friend to everyone she met. Diane was a deeply loved member of the MPHA community and is missed very much.

If you would like to share memories and express condolences to Diane's family, click  here
Policy Notes PNotes
2019-2020 Legislative Session Prep: MPHA Staff Meet with Community Leaders Across the Commonwealth

MPHA Policy Council Members Angela Wangari Walter and Cristina Huebner Torres at the October 2018 meeting
MPHA recognizes that at the root of health inequity is an imbalance of power in who has the ability to shape the decisions that impact health. This is why MPHA makes a priority of partnering with community leaders from across the Commonwealth who have  the ability to shape decisions for their own communities. We work with leaders who bring diverse perspectives and expertise and who represent a broad range of age, ethnic and racial identity, gender, and geography.  

As MPHA prepares for the 2019-2020 legislative session, our Policy and Field team have visited with partners across the Commonwealth, from Pittsfield to Barnstable and New Bedford to Lawrence, to learn about the priority issues impacting health in Massachusetts communities. Leaders from community-based organizations as well as
MPHA Executive Director Carlene Pavlos discusses a landscape analysis with members of MPHA's Policy Council
statewide organizations help MPHA identify barriers to health equity, especially race- and economic-based barriers, and help determine possible policy solutions. 

MPHA staff then compose a landscape analysis  to share with  MPHA's Policy Council , who provide additional feedback and help determine if there are any gaps. Once the landscape analysis is complete, MPHA staff and Policy Council will use the Health Equity Policy Framework to narrow the list of policy solutions and identify policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session. MPHA's Board will vote on the 2019-2020 policy slate in December, 2018.

Click image to enlarge
MPHA and Community Catalyst Holding First in Series of Trainings for Community Benefits Advisory Committee Members 

MPHA, in collaboration with Community Catalyst, is holding the first in a series of trainings for Community Benefit Advisory Committee members. Attendees will receive information and strategies to aid them in working with hospitals to better align their Community Benefits spending with community needs. 

Date: Monday, October 29th
Time: 8:30am-12pm
Location: Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton 

Click here to RSVP. Click here for more information.

MPHA and Community Catalyst will hold two additional trainings in early 2019 in Central and Northeastern Massachusetts. 
MPHA Field Director Andrea Freeman moderates panel at 2018 WMHEN Summit
MPHA Field Director and Policy Director Team Up for Breakout Session at Health Equity Summit in Western MA

MPHA Field Director Andrea Freeman and Policy Director Maddie Ribble co-hosted a breakout session at the 2018 Western Massachusetts Health Equity Summit on September 14th. The session, 
Democracy is NOT a Spectator Sport: You Can Impact Public Policy!, included a panel on a successful campaign for statewide policy followed by a skill-building workshop on how to  strategically focus advocacy efforts. 

MPHA sponsored the Summit hosted by the Western Massachusetts Health Equity Network (WMHEN) and participated in the planning committee. The WMHEN is part of a large and growing multi-sector network of health equity advocates in Western Massachusetts. 
Upcoming Events events
Gina McCarthy, Former U.S. EPA Administrator
MPHA 2018 Annual Conference --Environmental Justice and Health Justice: Action for Healthy Neighborhoods 

Gina McCarthy, Former U.S. EPA Administrator and Professor of Practice at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, will give the morning keynote address followed by a responsive panel of local experts and activists addressing the social determinants of health and environmental justice in their communities. 

The afternoon will include six breakout sessions on a variety of topics impacting health equity. 


Date: Thursday, November 15th
Time: 8:30am-3:00pm
Location:  DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester 

For more information, click here 
MFTPartyJoin us on October 30th for a Massachusetts Food Trust Launch Event and Info Session in Worcester

Join MPHA, the Local Enterprise Assistance Fund, Franklin County CDC, and  The Food Trust for the launch of the Massachusetts Food Trust Program, including an information session for potential applicants. 

Date: Tuesday, October 30th
Time: 1-4pm 
Location: Crompton Collective, 138 Green Street, Worcester

Click here to RSVP. Click here for more information. 
Massachusetts Public Health Association | (857) 263-7072 | mpha@mapublichealth.org |   mapublichealth.org
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