HOW TO CHOOSE AN ADVOCACY TOPIC:
There are many issues that affect children's health and sometimes it is difficult to choose which issue to advocate about. Here are a few steps to get you started:
Think about a personal or patient experience when a systemic issue or policy negatively or positively impacted health and/or well-being of children
Think about your future career goals and your likely future patient population. Are there health policy issues that impact this particular population?
Review the 2021 MIAAP Blueprint for Children for state focused policy agenda/focus https://www.miaap.org/blueprint
Check out the website of a local community partner organization or an organization associated with a patient population you work with now or plan to work with
Explore the AAP advocacy webpage and the national Blueprint for Children (https://www.aap.org/en/advocacy/)
Review the Healthy People 2030 Objectives related to Children's Health that may need advocacy https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/children
Talk to your attendings in clinic about what child health issues are affecting their patients most or that they have advocated/are advocating about
Review Mott Advocacy Page https://www.mottchildren.org/about-us/mott-advocacy
Email Dr. Naughton or Dr. McLaughlin if you are stuck
Community Partners to consider
Food Insecurity - Food Gatherers
Youth Justice Reform - Michigan Center for Youth Justice
Reproductive Rights - Planned Parenthood
Early Childhood Education - Early On/WISD
Early Literacy - Reach Out and Read
Specialty Specific Organization examples
Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan