One year ago, APHA launched Public Health Newswire, a website dedicated to reporting public health news, national advocacy efforts, scientific research and more. As Georges Benjamin, APHA executive director, stated at the time, “We believe this new site will be invaluable in helping public health professionals stay abreast of industry news and trends, share their perspectives and connect with others about the health issues that matter most to them.”
More than 500 posts and nearly 50,000 unique visitors later, APHA’s daily news channel continues to further its mission of improving and protecting the health of all Americans. The site allows users to choose among a range of health topics, discover scientific findings, read guest commentary from notable public health figures and check in on what’s happening with “All things APHA.”
Newswire has sprung to action for late-breaking public health events. When the U.S. Supreme Court voted to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the site reported from the courthouse steps the ruling’s long-term impact, as well as immediate reactions of leaders from organizations nationwide. As states reported an outbreak of pertussis, better known as “whooping cough,” the site shared prevention strategies published on APHA’s Get Ready Blog.
Its “Voices” section has included questions and answers with distinguished APHA members and public health leaders. Newswire caught up with former APHA President and CDC Director Bill Foege before he was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, at the White House, and longtime member Dick Jackson to discuss his innovative television series, “Designing Healthy Communities,” that aired on PBS nationwide.
APHA Director of Communications David Fouse stated “more impact and interactivity” as his chief objectives for the site moving forward.
“While we’ve had a terrific first year, we hope to increase the reach and value of Public Health Newswire in a number of ways,” Fouse said. “We’ll be engaging APHA members and our readers to learn more about what they need and how we can better deliver that information to them.”
Have suggestions for Public Health Newswire? Tell us how we can improve the site by taking our reader survey.
