Protect, prevent and live well
Disease prevention and health promotion can lead to better living. These also form the mission of the American Public Health Association (APHA). As the APHA's Associate Executive Director for Public Affairs and Advocacy , Susan Polan fulfills this mission.
Polan oversees the APHA department of government relations, affiliate affairs, communications, and membership and component affairs. She and her staff plan and direct the Association's legislative, regulatory and legal activities.
"Much of my work involves assuring coordination among the different units within my department, strategic planning for the organization, supporting members, and representing the association in a variety of different settings," says Polan.
These efforts put the APHA at the forefront of meeting the challenge ofthe convergence of human and animal health. "Much of what needs to be done to better understand and prepare for the public health and animal health connection is to educate public health professionals and the public about the challenges and the risks related to the issue," says Polan.
An outcome of this goal has been Polan's leadership of the campaign,"Protect, Prevent, Live Well - Get Ready." The campaign gives information, resources and tools to educate Americans on emerging infectious diseases and other hazards to increase public preparedness.
"The Get Ready Campaign serves as a venue for people who are looking forreal advice on how to prepare for the flu and other potential infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans, " says Polan.
Polan is also committed to linking the public health community and the animal health community to fight for our common interest and to reduce the animal to human disease transmission risk.
Established in 1872, the APHA's mission includes protection from preventable, serious health threats and assuring the accessibility of community-based health promotion, disease prevention activities and preventive health services. A consequence is the breadth of the APHA's membership representing the entire spectrum of health and beyond.
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