Nominate Your Public Health Hero!  

MPHA invites you to nominate your public health hero for recognition at our 21st Annual Spring Awards Breakfast on June 2! We want to hear about the public health and health equity champions that you respect and admire: people who have made an impact and whose commitment inspires you. Click here to see the list of awards and to nominate someone. Thank you for your participation. We look forward to learning about your public health heroes! 

Take Action Today for Health Equity!

The 2023-24 legislative session is underway, and MPHA needs your help to advance our top policy priorities! Please take a moment to contact your legislators and ask them to cosponsor the following bills: 

• Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Everyone Act (SAPHE 2.0) – this critical legislation will establish minimum public health standards for every community, credential public health workers, create uniform data collection and reporting systems, and build a state funding mechanism for local and regional boards of health; 
• RTA Advancement Bill – Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) are a lifeline to residents in 250 communities beyond the reach of the MBTA, connecting them to jobs, groceries, and medical care. This bill will stabilize funding for the RTAs so they can better meet the needs of local communities;
• Local Rent Control Enabling Act – This legislation is a critical part of a comprehensive approach to the affordable housing crisis. By lifting the statewide ban on rent control, it will allow municipalities to enact local rent stabilization and tenant protection policies that are based on the unique needs of each community.

Click here for a sample script and instructions. Thank you for raising your voice to support health equity! 

There is Still Time to Apply for Next Year's MPHA Internship

MPHA is currently accepting applications for our 2023-24 policy internship. This eight-month position is designed for a graduate-level student in public health or a related field and spans the full academic year, beginning in the fall of 2023 and continuing through the end of the spring semester in 2024. The application period will remain open through February 28, 2023. A limited stipend is available. To learn more and apply, click here.    

Governor Healey's Budget Proposal Coming Soon

The Healey administration will be submitting their first proposed budget to the Massachusetts legislature by March 1. Last month, MPHA sent a letter to the administration to encourage stronger investments that will bolster the fundamental building blocks of good health. We are urging increased funding for local public health services, regional public transportation, healthy food access, housing supports, and other targeted investments to improve health outcomes for those most impacted by inequities. We are excited to work with the administration to advance these critical public health priorities. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on the budget process as it unfolds.