Please help us in welcoming two new and six returning members to the SOPHIA Steering Committee this term! It is important that such a talented force of HIA practitioners continues to commit their time and expertise to SOPHIA. This support from the Steering Committee and the ongoing commitment from our members are what make SOPHIA successful. Thank you! Elected for the 2018-2020 Term: Katie Hirono,* President Ruth Lindberg,* Vice President - Communications Prasanthi Persad, Vice President - Development Audrey Boerner,* Secretary Amy Meehan,* Treasurer Sandra Whitehead,* Member-at-large Benjamin Woelk, Member-at-large Barry Keppard,* Member-at-large an asterisk denotes returning members Current 2017-2019 Term Members-at-Large include Jimmy Dills, Fiona Haigh, Erin Marziale, and Kerry Wyss. We are also thankful for Tatiana Lin, Past President, who continues to provide support and guidance. A more formal introduction to our two new members will be shared in the coming weeks on the website and through communications. As we look forward to an exciting new term, we acknowledge and appreciate the work done by those completing their time serving within SOPHIA leadership. A big thanks to Lindsey Realmuto, Susan Sutherland, Steve White for their leadership over the years.
Please note: In lieu of a member-wide vote (required when there are more candidates than positions available), the Steering Committee approved the candidates unanimously in July.
The Chronicles of Health Impact Assessment (CHIA) published Volume 3, Issue 1 in June 2018.
The issue features a number of articles by our members, a review of the Health Equity Guide from Human Impact Partners, and a letter from Susan Sutherland, Vice President of Development for SOPHIA. Here is an excerpt from the letter highlighting key topics addressed in the issue:
"The articles contained in this issue highlight diverse aspects of HIA practice, including how HIAs can be used to demonstrate the interconnected nature of social, environmental, and economic effects from decisions; the role of legislators in exploring policies to support the use of HIA; and how the field can equip students to do community-engaged HIA practice."
Access Volume 3, Issue 1 in its entirety for free!
CHIA is an open access online journal which strives to give expression to health impact assessment research and scholarship to serve public health and planning professionals.
SAVE THE DATE April 1-2, 2019 St. Paul, Minnesota
Please save the date for the 2019 Health Impact Assessment Practitioner Workshop to be held in St. Paul, Minnesota and hosted by Minnesota Department of Public Health. This 2-day workshop is a great opportunity to gather and learn alongside a diverse group of HIA practitioners. Don't miss it! Formal invitations and more details to follow. Please watch this space for updates. Registration will open in the fall.
SOPHIA and the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) are partnering to host a Twitter Chat NEXT WEEK! Join us as we discuss “Critical dilemmas for HIA practitioners, Public Health Institutes, and the Public Health Workforce.” We want to hear about your best practices and innovations as we explore trending topics in public health. What is a Twitter Chat? Your hosts (SOPHIA and NNPHI) will provide you with a platform to participate in discussion with your fellow practitioners through a series of questions over an hour-long period. Participants can engage by tweeting replies to questions or comments from other participants - and you don't even have to leave your desk! A handy guide is available that details how to join and participate. The chat will be 12-1pm EST Monday May 21. Participate by following SOPHIA on Twitter and the Twitter Chat hashtag #SOPHIAchat. We hope you will join us for this lively discussion in 280 character vignettes!
UNSW is organising a free HIA and local government seminar at Flat Floor Theatre, UNSW CBD Campus, 1 O’Connell St, Sydney on Tuesday 22/05/18 from 10.00 am to 12 noon (Monday, 21 May 8pm Eastern/ 5pm Pacific for our US members). This seminar will also be streamed live. If you are unable to attend in person, you can watch the seminar live via this link: http://www.hospitality.unsw.edu.au/livestream on 22 May at 10am, Sydney time. No online registration is needed. This seminar will focus on the use of health impact assessment at the local government level in Québec City, Korea, and in Sydney. The seminar will examine: • HIAs that have been done locally and internationally • how HIA can add value to local government • the opportunities and future directions for collaboration
Don't miss this HIA 101 coming up in June!
SOPHIA is partnering with NEHA to present an HIA 101 Class as a pre-conference session at NEHA’s Annual Educational Conference in Anaheim, CA on June 24 from 10-5 PT. Jimmy Dills of the Georgia Health Policy Center and SOPHIA will lead this one day hands-on course that will give you the knowledge and background to consider HIA as a part of your EH practice. The cost for NEHA members is $100 and $150 for non-members. Register here.
Did you see our Spring SOPHIA Newsletter? You can read all the latest here.
The American Public Health Association's 145th Annual Meeting and Exposition is quickly approaching! From November 4-8 2017 the world's largest public health conference will take place in Atlanta, Georgia. There will be a number of opportunities to hear from your fellow HIA practitioners. Your Member Services Committee developed a list of HIA and other relevant sessions at APHA that may be of interest to you. Take a look at the full list here.
Sponsored by SK Collaborative
Are you headed to Atlanta for APHA? Don't miss the SOPHIA Sunday Social! Join fellow SOPHIA members and others for a casual gathering Sunday evening, November 5th anytime between 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Der Biergarten. This is an informal happy hour that can be used as an opportunity to grab a drink with other SOPHIA members, colleagues, classmates, or old friends while you’re in town for APHA. So we have a rough idea of how many people will be joining us, please email SOPHIA member Mimi Majumdar Narayan if you are interested in attending. Der Biergarten 300 Marietta Street NW Atlanta, GA 30313 Come and go between 5:00-9:00 p.m.
