We’ll break down how advocacy meetings are, what the 2025 public health policy “asks” will focus on, and how SOPHE prepares you to share your message with confidence. You'll also learn what materials and coaching will be provided, what networking opportunities are built into the event, and how to show up ready to make an impact.

Participants will leave with a full understanding of their role during the Summit, the structure of Hill visits, and how to navigate the educational and advocacy components of the event with clarity and confidence

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the day-to-day structure and logistics of the 2025 SOPHE Advocacy Summit
2. Identify the 2025 policy priorities and “asks” to be delivered during Hill visits
3. Explain the purpose and format of Hill visits, coaching opportunities, and networking sessions

Competencies that will be covered include: 

5.2.2: Develop plans and strategies for effective advocacy

5.2.3: Implement advocacy strategies, consistent with organizational and professional values

6.2.1: Use appropriate communication modalities and technologies for the audience and setting

Sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.0 total Category I contact education contact hours.

SOPHE is a provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) Renewal Credits. A total of 1.0 CPH Renewal credits are provided on behalf of the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

Attendees will gain a better understanding of how physicians make decisions about what risks to communicate with patients. Over a decade into the opioid crisis, these new findings will reflect what physicians have learned about their roles in communicating medication risk to patients, as well as the ways they may have implemented opioid safeguarding techniques such as the use of prescription data monitoring systems. This rich data uses the extended parallel process model to gain a theoretical understanding of how physicians attribute risk to opioids (and susceptibility to that risk to their patients) and how well physicians perceive that their communication can mitigate those risks. Attendees will also learn how risk communication is essential in health communication contexts. Attendees may also learn what risk information doctors do not often communicate to their patients about opioids or other medications and may therefore gain new insight into what questions are important to ask their own healthcare providers when they are prescribed a new medication.

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the ways family physicians and internal medicine practitioners communicate the risks of opioids to their patients.
2. Explore the extent to which physicians perceive their role as risk communicators.
3. Articulate the role of patient-provider communication in risk management during opioid prescribing interactions.

Competencies that will be covered include: 

4.2.3 Use a logic model and/or theory for research.

4.5.1 Communicate findings by preparing reports, and presentations, and by other means.

Sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.0 total Category I contact education contact hours.

SOPHE is a provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) Renewal Credits. A total of 1.0 CPH Renewal credits are provided on behalf of the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

Join us for an exciting sneak peek into the 2025 SOPHE Advocacy Summit: Finding Common Ground – Pathways to a Healthier Nation. This preview is your chance to learn what the Summit is all about, why you should attend, and how it empowers students and professionals to sharpen their advocacy skills for health equity and policy change.

We will come together to find common ground and create a shared public health agenda. Whether you're new to advocacy or a seasoned changemaker, the Summit provides a dynamic learning environment with customized experiences for all levels of engagement.

Educational Tracks at the Summit:

• Health in All Policies: Learn how upstream policies can reduce disparities and support long-term health improvements.

• The Public Health Crisis: Tackle today’s toughest public health challenges and train the next generation of advocates.

• Community-Driven Advocacy: Discover the power of grassroots efforts and local leadership in shaping systems change.

• Health Communication Challenges: Strengthen your messaging skills and build trust to combat misinformation and advance public health literacy.

Join us at the Advocacy Summit, so you can:

• Build confidence in your advocacy skills and learn from policy leaders and public health experts

• Engage with students and professionals from across the country

• Leave with tools and resources to continue advocacy in your own community

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Identify one resource gap they must address.
2. List two stakeholders at the national, state, or local level that they can engage with on a public health issue.
3. Create a stakeholder map that highlights at least one potential partner for future collaboration.

Competencies that will be covered include: 

5.2.5 Identify available resources and gaps (e.g., financial, personnel, information, and data). 

5.1.5 Identify existing coalition(s) or stakeholders that can be engaged in advocacy efforts.

Sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.0 total Category I contact education contact hours.

SOPHE is a provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) Renewal Credits. A total of 1.0 CPH Renewal credits are provided on behalf of the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

Sponsored by SOPHE, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.00 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available are 0. 

In this live webinar, participants will learn about emerging topics in social media for health education, and they will explore a model for teaching social media as part of public health education professional preparation. The presenters will illustrate their process of developing and teaching a course on social media for health education course since 2017, its origin and evolution. They will share their experiences, and students’ responses, to an application-based course on digital health communication.

Emerging topics in social media for public health education practice will be discussed, including the “infodemic” of misinformation and potential methods for countering via persuasive communications. The role of health literacy in digital health communication will be outlined. Case examples from teaching will be shared, and participants will be encouraged to engage directly via interactive polls, breakout sessions, and practice with creating social media posts.

Upon completion of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe a model for teaching social media as part of health education professional preparation.
2. Illustrate how misinformation has evolved into what has been dubbed an “infodemic”
3. Outline persuasive communication techniques for digital health communication, including methods for countering misinformation.
4. Relate health literacy to digital health communication education.
5. Explain current trends and emerging frontiers in social media communication for public health education preparation.

Competencies that will be covered include: 

6.5.4 Use current and emerging communication tools and trends (e.g., social media). 

6.5.6 Use digital media to engage audience(s) (e.g., social media management tools and platforms). 

6.3.4 Employ media literacy skills (e.g., identifying credible sources and balancing multiple viewpoints). 

6.3.2 Develop persuasive communications (e.g., storytelling and program rationale). 

6.3.3 Tailor message(s) for the audience(s). 

6.4.4 Assess the suitability of new and/or existing communication aids, materials, or tools for audience(s) (e.g., the CDC Clear Communication Index and the Suitability Assessment Materials (SAM).

Sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.25 total Category I contact education contact hours.

SOPHE is a provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) Renewal Credits. A total of 1.25 CPH Renewal credits are provided on behalf of the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

In this session, a health promotion specialist from a large public university will share information about their experience with grants of various sizes, approaches to and considerations for the grant writing process, and lead practice with simple grant applications. This session is intended for health promotion specialists and administrators with no or some grant writing experience. It is not intended for those with extensive grant writing experience.

After this session, participants should be able to: 

Identify two ways grants can be used to supplement or expand health promotion activities. 

Describe the grant writing process. 

Explain one way how grants could be used at their institution. 

Competencies that will be covered include: 

7.4.4  Justify value of health education and promotion using economic (e.g., cost-benefit, return-on-investment, and value-on-investment) and/or other analyses.

7.4.5 Write grants and funding proposals. 

7.4.6 Conduct reviews of funding and grant proposals.

Sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.75 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available are 1.75. Provider ID #98029 and Activity ID PM98029_01722.

SOPHE is a provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) Renewal Credits. A total of 1.75 CPH Renewal credits are provided on behalf of the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

The public health landscape evolves as it is shaped by new health challenges in society.  This webinar will explore how the public health workforce can be developed to meet these demands and changes in an effective way. Participants will learn about opportunities and options for careers and internships. Students, faculty/program coordinators, and workplace supervisors will benefit from this webinar on how to prepare the public health workforce. 

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Identify current trends and best practices for public health workforce development.  
2. Describe actionable strategies from improving recruitment and retention in public health roles.  
3. Assess resources for networking and for continuing education.  
4. Advocate for the profession.

HESPA II Competencies:

5.3.2 Use traditional, social, and emerging technologies and methods to mobilize support for policy, system, or environmental change.

7.2.3 Assess training needs. 

7.3.4 Recruit qualified staff (including paraprofessionals) and volunteers. 

8.3.4  Build relationships with other professionals within and outside the profession. 

8.4.1 Explain the major responsibilities, contributions, and value of the health education specialist.

8.4.3 Advocate for professional development for health education specialists. 

Sponsored by SOPHE, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.00 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available for this session is 0. Provider ID #98029 and Activity ID 01-716 DL.

Health Literacy (a 2030 Health People Priority Area): Health literacy empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed health decisions, leading to better health outcomes and the prevention of chronic diseases. It also helps organizations support individuals better. By addressing health literacy, SOPHE can help promote the reduction of health disparities and champion health equity, particularly for marginalized and underserved populations. Enhanced health literacy contributes to health care savings by lowering costs through reduced emergency services, hospitalization rates and improved chronic disease management. Ultimately, a focus on health literacy is a focus on effective public health communication and preparedness for health crises, fostering a more informed and health-conscious society.

Join us for a look at the Rockford Ready Health Literacy Initiative, a community-focused health education program aimed at improving health literacy and in the underserved communities of Rockford, Illinois. This session will delve into how strategic communications, community engagement, and educational initiatives have promoted health equity, focusing on Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx populations. Learn how health literacy can be a powerful tool for public health professionals and educators across the nation to address health disparities, promote positive patient-provider relationships, and foster trust in public health recommendations. Through case studies, practical tools, and actionable insights, you’ll leave equipped to replicate similar efforts in your own community.

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Define health literacy and its role in advancing health equity.

1. Understand how health literacy strategies can be embedded in community-wide strategic communication to promote health equity.
2. Review best practices in fostering community-based health literacy programs.
3. Recognize the impact of health literacy campaigns on target audiences.
4. Apply lessons learned from Rockford Ready to your local health literacy efforts.

HESPA II Competencies:

1.3.2: Determine the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, skills, and behaviors that impact the health and health literacy of the priority population(s).

3.2.4 Deliver health education and promotion as designed.

Sponsored by SOPHE, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.00 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available for this session is 0. Provider ID #98029 and Activity ID 01-715 DL.

Promotoras are effective advocates for environmental justice and health equity. Latinas in under-resourced communities experience a disproportionately higher level of exposure to environmental toxins. Most significant is the impact of environmental toxins on reproductive health and breast cancer. The Planning for a Healthy Home and Body program serves as an effective advocacy and education model for Latinas trained as lay health educators, Promotoras, to educate friends, family, and community members about reducing their exposures to toxins at home, work, and in the community. The target population for this program are low to-moderate-income Latinas of reproductive age residing in South Los Angeles.  The presentation will discuss both studies along with the curriculum, research methodology, results and lessons learned for replicability and scalability in other communities. 

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe why training lay health educators to teach friends, family, and the community about environmental hidden hazards is effective in promoting environmental justice.
• Identify strategies for mobilizing communities in lowering exposure to environmental toxins at home, work, and/or in the community through individual lifestyle modifications and community advocacy.
• Explain how the built environment can create health disparities for women in under resourced communities.

HESPA II Competencies:

• 5.1.2: Examine evidence-informed findings related to identified health issues and desired changes.

Sponsored by SOPHE, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.00 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available for this session is 0. Provider ID #98029 and Activity ID 01-714 DL. 

Stress overload is a root cause of mental health problems and chronic diseases, yet research has shown that cognitive methods fall short of switching off the stress response. In this presentation, emotional brain training founder and health psychologist Laurel Mellin, PhD, describes how processing emotions based on physiologic brain states can directly and rapidly switch off the stress response with technology that can be applied in public health programs.

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the neuroscience rationale for emotional brain training (EBT) for treating stress.

2. Identify the EBT emotional processing pattern for deactivating the stress response and its use in the FREE Spiral Up Lite app.

3. Describe the implications of innovation in stress resiliency for public health approaches to mental health problems and chronic disease.

HESPA II Competencies:

8.1.4 Promote health equity 

8.1.5 Use evidence-informed theories, models, and strategies

Sponsored by SOPHE, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.25 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available for this session is 0. Provider ID #98029 and Activity ID 01-713 DL.