The Vietnam Public Health Association (VPHA) is a social, professional organization of volunteers who work in Public Health field. It was founded in December 2002 with its central office in Hanoi, business license, seal, logo, voice and independent finance. Members of the Executive Board of VPHA are leading experts in Public Health field in Viet Nam. The network of VPHA has been developed and expanded nationwide.VPHA has been admitted to be an official member of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front and the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA)  Operational principles:

-          Inter- and multi-disciplinary collaboration

-          Bringing public health professionals to community-based activities.  

OBJECTIVES FOR 2007-2012 PERIOD  

-          To develop effective VPHA organizational structure at central, provincial and district levels.

-          To strengthen the advocacy role of VPHA through supporting and promoting the practical application of public health research findings in development and implementation of public health policies and programs.

-          To strengthen and develop VPHA affiliation capacities, including VPHA members as well as other key professionals and decision makers in the field of  health development.

-          To promote resource mobilization and network of local and international public health organizations as well as other related organizations.

-          To provide timely and accurate information on public health policies, programs and research through a wide range of dissemination channels.  

OUTPUTS – OPERATIONAL AREAS  

+ ADVOCACY: 

VPHA researches have contributed to providing convincing evidence to serve as a basis for advocacy of national health policies. Particularly, in tobacco control field, VPHA has played a part in enforcing tax increase and changes in health warning format printed on cigarette packs      

+ RESEARCH:

- Three regional community health research centers have been established in provinces of Thai Binh, Da Nang and Dong Thap, contributing to piloting and application of public health approaches in various fields: HIV/AIDS and Injury prevention, Tobacco control, etc.

- VPHA researches have been conducted by gathering of leading Public Health experts in Viet Nam, who have sufficient professional qualification, capacity and rich experience in coordinating and conducting Public Health researches and with technical support from international experts.   

+ INFORMATION SHARING: 

- The Journal of Public Health: an official organ of VPHA, providing and disseminating research findings, Public Health information and activities of VPHA.

- Publications, and monthly newsletter.- Annual national scientific conference of Vietnam Public Association: a forum for exchanging information and sharing professional experience among VPHA members, organizations and individuals, nationally and internationally, who have worked in the field of public health.    

MEMBERSHIP 

All individuals and organizations working in public health and other sectors, who are interested in public health development and wish to participate in VPHA activities, are eligible to become “Member of Vietnam Public Health Association”