AZPHA has been a proud state affiliate of the American Public Health Association (APHA) since 1928 — nearly 100 years! Being an affiliate comes with great benefits, like national connections and opportunities to share Arizona’s public health work, but it also comes with responsibilities.
One of those responsibilities is choosing an APHA Governing Council and voting for us at the APHA Governing Council.
For the last few years, Rebecca Nevedale has filled that role for us, and this year she also served as the regional lead for the western-state ARGCs. AZPHA usually has members who attend and take part in the APHA Annual Meeting, and this year our representatives from the AZPHA Board of Directors were Rebecca Nevedale and Ryann Whealy.
Every year, APHA hosts its big national conference, bringing together thousands of people from all over the country — and the world — who care about public health. This year’s meeting took place in Washington, D.C., November 2–5, with the theme: “Making the Public’s Health a National Priority.”
There were hundreds of presentations, thousands of attendees, and tons of chances to learn new things, meet new people, and share ideas.
People came to talk about how to keep communities healthy, how to prepare for future health problems, and how to make sure everyone — no matter who they are or where they live — has a fair shot at good health.
Some Highlights
- Lots of presentations: There were talks, posters, roundtables, lightning sessions — basically nonstop learning all day, every day.
- Big keynote talks: These “general sessions” brought leaders together to talk about major issues facing public health right now.
- Special programs: Things like short courses, a film festival, women’s leadership sessions, and “coffee talks” gave people extra ways to learn and connect.
- The Public Health Expo: A huge exhibit hall where organizations showed off new tools, research, and programs.
Major Themes This Year
- Health is a human right. The meeting focused on making health a top national priority — not just for some people, but for everyone.
- Prevention matters. A big message was that stopping problems before they start helps save lives, money, and time.
- Preparing for the future. Public health leaders talked about how to be ready for the next big challenge, whether it’s a new disease, climate impacts, or community needs.
- Fairness and equity. A key goal was making sure all communities get what they need to be healthy, especially those that have been left out in the past.
AZPHA’s presence at the national meeting helps make sure Arizona’s voice is heard in national conversations about public health. It also lets our board members and members:
- Learn about new strategies
- See what other states are doing
- Build partnerships
- Bring back ideas that help improve public health work here at home
Rebecca and Ryann represented Arizona well, joining national discussions, sharing Arizona-based perspectives, and staying connected with other state affiliates.
Relevant APHA 2025 Sessions for Arizona
- Transforming Public Health through Indigenous-Led Approaches — This session centers Indigenous knowledge, ceremony, and community-led public health strategies. APHA Conference
- Assessing Health Needs and Barriers in a Tribal Community — A data-driven presentation focused on culturally responsive planning to reduce health disparities in American Indian / Alaska Native communities. APHA Conference
- Documenting Self-Reported Tribal Affiliation Data in Health Systems — Lessons from expanding electronic health records to better reflect American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) identities. APHA Conference
- Understanding Health Priorities and Support Strategies in Tribal Health Systems — A panel/session that discusses how tribal health systems find and address their most pressing health needs. APHA Conference
- Advancing Public Health for AIANNH & API Populations — Focused on public health policy, health equity, and culturally responsive interventions for American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Asian/Pacific Islander groups. APHA Conference
- Whose Water: The People’s Movement for Safe, Affordable, Community-Controlled Water — Examines water justice, public control, and affordability — very relevant in places facing water scarcity or infrastructure challenges. APHA Conference
- Center for Climate, Health & Equity Program — This “track” / program includes multiple sessions on environmental health, climate resilience, and equity — important for Arizona especially given heat and climate impacts. APHA Conference
- Protecting Health from Extreme Heat – State Leadership in Action — A related APHA event/webinar (not sure if part of the main meeting track) that highlights state strategies for addressing heat as a health threat. American Public Health Association
You can dive deeper into the various sessions on the APHA conference website at: APHA 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo
