Register for MPHA’s Annual Conference on Dec. 13

Join us for MPHA’s upcoming virtual Annual Conference & Meeting – Rooted in Community: Building Equity-Driven Policies. The agenda will feature a conversation between MPHA staff members and State Representative Liz Miranda, who will be sharing her thoughts on public health and environmental justice. Dr. Lauren Smith from the CDC Foundation will provide the keynote. MPHA will also be unveiling our 2023-2024 policy priorities and presenting our recently revised Health Equity Policy Framework. We hope to see you online on December 13th from 9 AM to 1 PM! 

Vote YES on 1 for a Fairer Massachusetts!

Help advance health equity in Massachusetts with your vote! MPHA has endorsed Question 1, also known as the Fair Share Amendment, and we encourage you to vote YES on 1 on your November ballot! This proposed amendment to the Massachusetts constitution would create a 4 percent tax only on the portion of a person’s annual income over $1M and dedicate the resulting revenue to transportation and public education. Under Massachusetts’ current flat income tax, those with low to moderate incomes often pay more in taxes, as a percentage of their income, than those who are wealthier. Passage of Question 1 will make the Commonwealth’s taxation system fairer, while directing resources to two key drivers of health outcomes: access to public transportation and educational opportunities. Learn more here about being a Public Health Voter. 

Vote YES on 4 for Safer Roads! 

Raise your voice for public health by voting YES on Question 4 for Safer Roads! Voting YES would uphold the Work and Family Mobility Act, which passed earlier this year with strong support from MPHA. In passing this law, Massachusetts joined 16 other states that have improved road safety by allowing all qualified state residents to apply for a standard driver’s license, regardless of their immigration status. Now a last-minute ballot initiative threatens to overturn this commonsense law. As you fill out your ballot, take action one last time by voting YES on 4 to help make our roads safer by ensuring that all drivers are tested, licensed, and insured, while enabling families to safely make essential trips like dropping kids off at school and going to the doctor. Learn more here about being a Public Health Voter.

Welcome, Mahal!

MPHA is delighted to announce that Mahal Alvarez-Backus is our new Policy Specialist. Prior to joining MPHA, Mahal worked as a Massachusetts Senate intern with the Asian American Women’s Political Initiative and as a research assistant at the Colby Mood and Emotion Lab in Waterville, Maine. She is a graduate of Colby College and is also a certified Community Health Worker. In her spare time, she likes to read, run, play with her dogs, and spend time with her family. Please join us in welcoming Mahal! 

Connect with MPHA at APHA

The American Public Health Association (APHA) is hosting their 150th annual conference in Boston next week, and MPHA will be there! If you are attending, please visit our booth in the exhibit hall. In addition, we hope you will join us on Monday, November 7, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM, at A Street Park in South Boston near the Convention Center. Come learn about advancing health equity at the ballot box in Massachusetts and beyond! Learn more.