Australian Health Promotion Association

The Australian Health Promotion Association is the only professional association specifically for people interested or involved in the practice, research and study of health promotion. 

Strategic Priorities 2009-2012 

AHPA’s overall goal is to encourage and support best practice in health promotion so that everyone can enjoy good health. AHPA will work towards this through the following areas:

1.  Leadership

2.  Strategic partnerships and alliances

3.  Professional excellence    

4.  Advocacy

5.  Communication, and  

6.  Good governance.

read on Strategic Plan 2009 - 2012

2010 - 2011 National Management Committee 

Major Activities

The Health Promotion Association operates at both the National and Branch level in order to achieve its objectives.

At the National level the Health Promotion Association's major activities include: 

• The Australian Health Promotion Association National Conference usually held annually and hosted by the Association Branches on rotation. A new initiative in 2008 was the inaugural Population Health Congress and there are plans for a second congress to be held in Adelaide in 2012.
• Health Promotion Journal of Australia
• Quarterly newsletter - the Australian Health Promotion Update
• An integrated website providing up-to-date professional industry and membership information
• A national listserv providing members with the latest employment opportunities and events information

At the Branch level

• Branches are heavily involved in professional development, including conducting seminars, workshops and training courses on a wide range of topics. Some branches also provide scholarships for health promotion students or graduates, mentoring programs as well as listservs and newsletters.

History

The Association has its origins in the ANZAAS Congress held in Perth during 1983. The planning committee for the Health Education Section of the Congress recognised the need for an organisation that could unify the growing number of people involved in health promotion and health education throughout Western Australia and promote liaison between them. This resulted in the formation of the Western Australian Professional Health Educators’ Association (WAPHEA) in 1985.

read on