StrategicPlan
Uniting and strengthening the voice for public health in Iowa — navigating a rapidly changing landscape with resilience and purpose.
About IPHA
Iowa Public Health Association has been the voice for public health in Iowa since 1925. We are led by a committed staff and board and powered by more than 500 public health professionals from across the state.
A Healthy &
Thriving Iowa
We envision an Iowa where every community has the conditions it needs to be healthy.
Unite &
Strengthen
To unite and strengthen the voice for public health in Iowa.
Why This Plan, Why Now
Public health is facing an increasingly fraught political, financial, and social climate nationally and within Iowa. Restructuring at the state level, combined with the loss of federal funding, means IPHA must be nimble in addressing public health issues and fostering a healthier, more stable workforce.
IPHA intends to strengthen its work and its members to fortify the public health field and protect health in Iowa for years to come.
CIVICS
Connection
We are the leading convener that brings public health practitioners and leaders together, fostering relationships and bringing people and organizations to the public health table.
Integrity
We are a trusted voice for public health. We make decisions and advocate based on verified scientific information and public health best practices — never swayed by popularity or political winds.
Visibility
Known not just in the public health community, but by lawmakers, reporters, and partner organizations. Our members and experts are recognized as community leaders.
Independence
We're unbought and unbossed. We serve public health — not our funders, not the political whims of any administration. We work across the state and region, but we're never a mouthpiece.
Courage
We stand up for the public's health, even when it's hard. We combat misinformation even when it comes from powerful people and stand firm on public health principles.
Stewardship
We are thoughtful managers of people and funds. We safeguard member and donor information and stretch our dollars to work for Iowans' health with intention and reliability.
Four Goals,
One Direction
Membership Structure & Benefits
We are an engaged membership community and offer professional opportunities and benefits that can't be found elsewhere.
- Design a dynamic, diverse membership structure that represents and supports public health professionals across Iowa.
- Provide multiple entryways and touchpoints for members to deepen their involvement.
- Grow membership and improve retention so people want to join and stay.
- Position IPHA as part of members' professional identity and public health home.
- Incentivize membership with members-only and discounted programming.
- Develop a membership structure that incorporates Iowa Immunizes coalition members.
- Provide an annual learning opportunity through PHCI and other IPHA-hosted events.
Advocacy
We leverage IPHA's collective expertise and diverse membership to build political capital that influences public health policy in Iowa.
- Be transparent about our strategic advocacy priorities and roadmap.
- Grow the reach of our biennial candidate forums.
- Help members build relationships with elected officials to affect legislation.
- Build and maintain a resource bank of trained member experts — making IPHA the go-to source for decision makers.
- Prioritize civic engagement and Vote For Health principles in all outreach.
Organizational Capacity
We are a resilient organization with sustainable funding and a commitment to leadership development.
- Broaden income streams to support new and ongoing mission-aligned work.
- Establish processes for the development and review of initiatives we lead and support.
- Support professional development of staff, board members, and emerging leaders.
- Develop leaders through workgroups, committees, and the Board of Directors.
- Value our expertise and offerings, and monetize accordingly.
- Maintain capacity to host and expand Iowa Immunizes.
Supporting & Connecting Community Partners
We support, partner with, and connect public health practitioners, aligned professionals, and non-traditional partners to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy and thrive.
- Serve as the convener that brings organizations who care about public health together to break down silos and build relationships.
- Build pathways for community leaders and experts to share their knowledge.
- Uplift the organizations we work closely with and encourage the wider public health community to support their work.
- Expand Iowa Immunizes partnerships to include broader public health and civic engagement issues.