Since 1920, the Public Health Nursing (PHN) Section has played a crucial role in shaping and improving population health in the United States.
With a strong foundation in community partnerships, evidence-based care, advocacy, and leadership, the PHN Section continues to drive innovation in nursing that benefits entire communities, not just individuals.
At its core, public health nursing focuses on building healthier societies by promoting health equity, supporting the nursing workforce, and shaping public health policies.
A Century of Impact in Public Health Nursing
The PHN Section was established over a hundred years ago with the goal of enhancing public health through the power of nursing. Today, it remains committed to:
- Advancing population health
- Strengthening community and professional partnerships
- Promoting evidence-based practices
- Developing nursing leadership
- Advocating for health-focused policies
- Conducting and supporting research
By staying aligned with the changing needs of society, the PHN Section ensures that nursing remains central to public health strategies nationwide.
Our Mission and Core Priorities
The Section’s mission is built around several key priorities that guide all of its initiatives:
- Advocate for social justice and health equity: Ensuring fair and equal access to healthcare services for all communities, especially vulnerable and underserved populations.
- Support and engage members: Offering opportunities for leadership, professional development, and collaboration within the public health community.
- Increase resources and capacity: Helping nurses gain the tools, education, and support they need to make a broader impact in public health.
These goals are achieved by encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, where nurses work alongside other healthcare and policy professionals to shape impactful programs and policies.
What Makes Public Health Nursing Unique
Unlike traditional nursing, public health nursing looks at the bigger picture. Instead of focusing only on individual patients, public health nurses aim to improve the health of entire populations. This includes:
- Promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyles
- Preventing diseases through education and outreach
- Addressing health disparities in under-resourced communities
- Advocating for policies that protect public health
With a foundation rooted in both clinical and social sciences, public health nurses blend care with activism to address issues like poverty, environmental hazards, and access to healthcare.
Benefits of Joining the Public Health Nursing Section
Becoming a member of the PHN Section offers a variety of valuable benefits for nursing professionals, including:
- Professional growth: Opportunities to take on leadership roles within the Section
- Networking: Connect with like-minded professionals across disciplines
- Policy influence: Help shape APHA’s public health policies and priorities
- Academic involvement: Review research abstracts or present findings at the APHA Annual Meeting
- Collaboration: Partner with national and local organisations working toward similar goals
Whether you’re a student, early-career nurse, or experienced leader, there’s a place for you in the PHN Section to grow, lead, and contribute.
Get Involved and Support the Cause
Public health nursing is more than a job—it’s a movement toward a healthier, fairer society. If you’re passionate about health equity, population care, and social change, there are many ways to get involved:
- Learn more about public health nursing through official definitions and practice guidelines
- Nominate and celebrate leaders through member section awards
- Support financially by making a donation to further the Section’s mission
- Reach out to leadership contacts for guidance, mentorship, or collaborative ideas
Public health nursing stands at the crossroads of healthcare and community wellbeing. Since 1920, the Public Health Nursing Section has built a powerful legacy of service, advocacy, and leadership.
By joining this movement, nurses can play an active role in creating healthier communities, addressing social inequalities, and driving policy change that truly makes a difference.
Whether through direct care, policy work, or education, public health nurses are shaping a future where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy life.
