Massachusetts Public Health Association

CONTACT:

434 Jamaicaway
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 524-6696, x 100
www.mphaweb.org

Valerie Bassett, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 1879, MPHA is the nation’s second oldest philanthropic association of professionals promoting public health—what was then a new field. The new organization focused on protecting the health of all citizens equally, preventing disease and injury through advocacy, education, grassroots organizing and coalition building. Today MPHA is still Massachusetts’ leading public health organization—the principal advocate for the state public health budget. This year MPHA helped lead advocacy that increased the state’s public health budget by $74.4 million, including increased funding for immunizations and food safety. Their 2001 report “The Health of Our Children: Who’s Paying Attention?” documented the rise in childhood obesity in Massachusetts, and their subsequent initiatives have significantly improved school nutrition and reduced junk food and sodas in schools. They are highly cost-beneficial, having accomplished these and much more on a budget of less than $1 million. While they have attracted foundation grants for projects, it would be wonderful if enlightened individual donors would throw their philanthropic weight behind these professionals who are working to protect quality of life for everyone, and especially our children. Let’s all invest philanthropically in our own public health.

(2007: HUMAN SERVICES: Health & Aging)