Advocating for Public Health

Public health is shaped not just by biology or behavior, but by the policies and environments in which we live. In the Upper Valley, residents face a wide range of health-related challenges that are deeply influenced by:

Access to services (such as cost, location, or provider capacity)
Environmental factors (including safe, affordable housing, and the built environment)
Public policy at the local, state, and national levels

At the Public Health Council, we know that public policy can either accelerate or hinder our progress in addressing community health priorities. Our role is to ensure that policy decisions are informed by data, lived experience, and the voices of the Upper Valley– and that lawmakers understand how their choices affect access to care, quality of life, and long-term community well-being.

Strategy What We Do Why It Matters

1. Engage Local Policymakers Host bi-state legislative events every year, meet directly with lawmakers, and share data and community stories about our top health priorities. Direct conversations help ensure policy decisions reflect Upper Valley needs and promote cross-state collaboration.

2. Provide Training Offer annual training for partners and residents on the legislative process, advocacy skills, and effective communication with policymakers. Collaborate with organizations like New Futures for expert-led sessions. Builds local capacity so more voices can shape the policies that impact health.

3. Link Partners to Advocacy Allies Connect community members and organizations to respected local, state, and national advocacy groups focused on relevant public health issues. Strengthens networks and amplifies impact through shared expertise and resources.

Strategy	What We Do	Why It Matters
1. Engage Local Policymakers	Host bi-state legislative events every year, meet directly with lawmakers, and share data and community stories about our top health priorities.	Direct conversations help ensure policy decisions reflect Upper Valley needs and promote cross-state collaboration.
2. Provide Training	Offer annual training for partners and residents on the legislative process, advocacy skills, and effective communication with policymakers. Collaborate with organizations like New Futures for expert-led sessions.	Builds local capacity so more voices can shape the policies that impact health.
3. Link Partners to Advocacy Allies	Connect community members and organizations to respected local, state, and national advocacy groups focused on relevant public health issues.	Strengthens networks and amplifies impact through shared expertise and resources.

Engaging Policymakers: Bi-State Legislative Events

Every year, PHC brings together legislators from both Vermont and New Hampshire to hear directly from community members, service providers, and public health experts.

In November 2024, our Bi-State Legislative Event focused on pressing priorities for the Upper Valley: children’s behavioral health, affordable housing, substance misuse, and access to dental care. Lawmakers heard data, stories, and recommendations from people working on the front lines of these issues, sparking meaningful conversations about cross-border policy coordination. READ MORE

Linking to Advocacy Allies

Strong advocacy doesn’t happen in isolation. PHC connects local partners and residents to respected advocacy organizations– at the local, state, and national level– working on the issues that shape our health.

By building bridges between grassroots voices and established advocacy networks, we amplify the Upper Valley’s influence in policy spaces and help ensure that community priorities are represented at every level.

Link Partners to Respected Advocacy Organizations

The table below provides links to a number of Vermont and New Hampshire organizations that work diligently to influence public policy to benefit the residents of our states. The list also includes a few regional or national organizations. Some work on the state-level and some work on the national level. You can follow the links to these organizations’ webpages and explore their policy priorities.

We encourage members of the Upper Valley community to engage with policymakers on the topics they are passionate about. Please note that the Public Health Council does not lobby and we will never attempt to influence any person’s actions on behalf of or against legislation. We only provide education about the issues of concern to our region. If you choose to engage in direct advocacy by communicating with policymakers about specific legislation, you do so on your own behalf and should not speak for the Public Health Council. That being said, we hope you enjoy exercising your democratic right to act politically.

Advocacy Organizations Dedicated to Health and Safety

Organization Logo	Description	Access to Mental Health Services	Cost of Health Care Services, Health Insurance, & Dental Care	Access to Healthy and Affordable Food	Alcohol & Drug Misuse Prevention, Treatment, & Recovery	Child Wellbeing	Socio-Economic Conditions: Housing & Others	Public Health Emergency Preparedness
New Hampshire Based Resources
	Works to ensure that all individuals have access to appropriate, high-quality, integrated primary and preventive health care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
	A grassroots organization working to improve the quality of life for all by providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide.
	The Waypoint advocacy program is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through legislative, judicial and public policy initiatives.
	Advocates, educates, and collaborates to improve the health and wellness of all New Hampshire residents through policy change. Priority areas include: health policy, alcohol and other drugs, early childhood, access to treatment, and children’s behavioral health.
	The mission of the NHPA is to represent its members in advancing substance use prevention, treatment and recovery through public policy, leadership, professional development, and quality member services.
	A member-driven organization that champions public health policy and practice, enriches the workforce, and inspires leaders to improve the public’s health.
	We create safe and just communities through advocacy, prevention and empowerment of anyone affected by sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking and human trafficking..
	The New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition was established in 2002 as a diverse group of organizations, agencies, and individuals concerned about the impact of oral health issues facing New Hampshire.
	We advocate to end food insecurity, improve access to nutritious food, and address hunger’s root causes for all New Hampshire.
	The Granite State Organizing Projec is New Hampshire’s largest faith-based, grass-roots, community organization, seeks to strengthen communities, empowering them to find their voice and effect change.
	The New Hampshire Alliance of Immigrants and Refugees (NHAIR), a MIRA affiliate, is dedicated to organizing and engaging immigrants and refugees as voters and leaders.
Vermont Based Resources
	Works to ensure that all individuals have access to appropriate, high-quality, integrated primary and preventive health care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
	A member-owned organization comprised of Vermont’s network of not-for-profit hospitals. We are committed to building a vibrant, healthy Vermont. Our work includes advocacy, policy development, education and research.
	Serves the public by facilitating and enhancing physicians' individual and collective commitments, capabilities, and efforts to improve the quality of life for the people of Vermont through the provision of accessible and appropriate health care services.
	A statewide membership organization of several hundred individuals and organizations conducting advocacy, outreach and community organizing on behalf of Vermont’s children and youth.
	The Hunger Councils of Vermont network is a powerful force in the state. Using our combined voices, we raise awareness of key issues, encourage policy makers to support initiatives to end hunger, and share resources that make each other's work stronger.
	The Hunger Councils of Vermont network is a powerful force in the state. Using our combined voices, we raise awareness of key issues, encourage policy makers to support initiatives to end hunger, and share resources that make each other's work stronger.
	The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a statewide coalition of early childhood professionals and providers, parents, and employers working together to improve public policies that impact young children from birth to age eight on issues of health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education.
	At the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition (VAHC), we are committed to ensuring all Vermonters have decent, safe and affordable housing. We are not a housing provider, but rather a coalition of over 90 members who work together to increase access to safe, decent, affordable housing in Vermont. Our primary focus is education, advocacy, and outreach.
	Works to ensure that all individuals have access to appropriate, high-quality, integrated primary and preventive health care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
	A grassroots organization working to improve the quality of life for all by providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide.
Regional and National Resources
	The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance advocates for placing peers at the forefront when determining needs and best practices for mental health services.
	Advocates for policies that ensure people who have mental health and substance abuse disorders have access to comprehensive, evidence-based health care services.
	Advocates for policies, practices and resources needed to effectively prevent substance use and treat addiction by pairing research and the experience of families and urging all levels of government to take action.
	The PCC is a not-for-profit multi-stakeholder membership organization dedicated to advancing an effective and efficient health system built on a strong foundation of primary care and the patient-centered medical home.
	APHA champions the health of all people and all communities. We strengthen the public health profession. We speak out for public health issues and policies backed by science.
	APHA champions the health of all people and all communities. We strengthen the public health profession. We speak out for public health issues and policies backed by science.
	One Fair Wage is a national coalition, campaign and organization seeking to end all subminimum wages in the United States and increase the sustainability of wages and working conditions in the service sector.
	AFSC works for a just, peaceful, and sustainable world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. We join with people and partners worldwide to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.
	Advocates for sexual and reproductive health issues, urging policymakers at all levels of government to promote reproductive health, rights, and justice.