Planning for Successful Advocacy Campaigns

Groups who advocate for change have the greatest impact if they have a plan. Whether basic or elaborate, effective plans must be accomplishable. In successful advocacy campaigns, plans help establish the goals and objectives along with other essential elements of planning such as the campaign’s message, purpose, and media strategies. While goals and objectives may differ among various public health advocacy groups, similar strategies and tools are often used. For instance, many campaign plans include similar media strategies and communication techniques for reaching the target audience, but the goal of the campaign might range in focus from childhood obesity to fracking or elderly care.

To prepare for this Discussion:

· Review the Freeman et al. article and the advocacy campaign examples “Indiana Campaign for Smoke Free Air” and “One International.” Reflect on each campaign’s plan, including elements such as goals, objectives, message, purpose, and media strategies.

· Research and select a public health advocacy campaign that is different than the provided examples. Consider your selected campaign’s plan, including elements such as goals, objectives, message, purpose, and media strategies.

· Reflect on the impact of your selected campaign on the development of health policy. Think about how the campaign’s plan contributes to the success of the advocacy campaign.

· Consider the role of advocates and public health organizations in your selected advocacy campaign.

With these thoughts in mind:

. Avery, B., & Bashir, S. (2003). The road to advocacy—Searching for the rainbow. American Journal of.Public Health, 93(8), 1207–1210.

Note: Retrieved from the

Freeman, B., Chapman, S., & Storey, P. (2008). Banning smoking in cars carrying children: An analytical history of a public health advocacy campaign. Australian and New Zealand Journal Of Public Health, 32(1), 60–65.

Galer-Unti, R. A., Tappe, M. K., & Lachenmayr, S. (2004). Advocacy 101: Getting started in health education advocacy. Health Promotion Practice, 5(3), 280–288.

The Community Tool Box. (2012). Writing letters to the editor. Retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-editor/checklist

The Community Tool Box. (2012). Writing letters to elected officials. Retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

Dorfman, L., Sorenson, S., & Wallack, L. (2009). Working upstream: Skills for social change. Retrieved from http://bmsg.org/sites/default/files/bmsg_handbook_working_upstream.pdf

Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.smokefreein.com/

One International. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.one.org/international/