About the Alliance

The California Alliance of Academics and Communities for Public Health Equity (the Alliance) is a new statewide policy, training, and research collaboration. We aim to amplify the voice of schools and programs of public health in partnership with communities disproportionately impacted by health disparities in order to build a common agenda, to grow a workforce dedicated to advancing health equity and to catalyze substantive policy change.  

Origin and Development: In 2016, the University of California, Berkeley, together with statewide schools and programs of public health, convened Deans, Directors, and Chairs to build the California Schools and Programs of Public Health Network (CA-SPPH). With the support of the Public Health Institute and our funders and partners, CA-SPPH came together in 2022 to develop a statewide learning network called the California Alliance of Schools and Programs of Public Health (Cal-SPPH Alliance), focused on addressing the needs and interests of communities most impacted by health inequities.

Cal-SPPH Alliance quickly recognized the importance of collaborating with government public health and community-based organizations to more effectively and symbiotically advance health equity on the ground. With a mandate to ensure that Cal-SPPH Alliance authentically responds to the priorities of underserved communities, we began launching relationships with public health departments and community organizations statewide.

In January 2023, Cal-SPPH Alliance was re-named the California Alliance of Academics and Communities for Public Health Equity (the Alliance) to better align with our collective mission and values. We are currently developing a community advisory board and building out a sum-greater-than-parts hub of effective advocacy and action by leveraging the power and resources of our growing network of members and partners.

In 2023 and going forward, we will highlight and extend the influence of our members’ great work, symbiosis, on-the-ground interventions, workforce development, and goal of accelerating substantive policy change.

Values

  • Advocacy

    We take action to inform policy and collectively advocate for urgently needed change.

  • Collaboration

    We are committed to authentic collaboration between public health and social justice leaders within academia, government, and communities in order to advance health equity.

  • Community

    We will build authentic and sustainable academic-community partnerships dedicated to addressing health inequalities.

  • Diversity

    We aim to build a diverse public health workforce - the next generation of changemakers.

  • Health Equity

    We believe that every person has a right to their optimum level of health.

  • Innovation

    We innovate and act in ways that create value for individuals, families, and communities - particularly those historically impacted by discrimination.

  • Evidence to Action

    We commit to leveraging data to evaluate our efforts, monitor progress, identify problems, and inform action.

 2022-2024 AREAS OF IMPACT

    1. Since the creation of the Alliance, membership has increased from 54 members to 286 members (81% increase).

    2. Expanded to include both academic and community-based organizations partners (0-153).

    3. Members in all regions of California.

  • in 2023, the Alliance supported a total of 11 bills

    1. Seven became state laws.

    2. Two were vetoed by Governor Newsom.

    3. The remaining two were held in committee.

    1. Through our Community Action Fund (CAF) we invested $131,000 to strengthen the capacity of seven community-based organizations: La Clínica de La Raza, Little Manila Rising, Local Clean Energy Alliance, Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project, Raizes Collective, San Diego Youth Services and Youth Leadership Institute.

    2. In January of 2024, in honor of Dr. King’s Legacy, we reinvested an additional $44,450 to CAF recipients.

    1. Launched three collaborative issue-based action groups that bring together academic and community experts to tackle key public health issues, learn from each other, and advance statewide solutions.

    2. Our three action groups focus on the public health workforce, violence prevention, and the environment & health.

Priorities for 2024

 
 

Public Health Training & Practice

Preparing a more diverse and antiracist public health workforce in California by developing shared curricula and training on health equity, social determinants, and antiracism in schools and programs of public health.

 

Policy Advocacy and Communication

Amplifying the collective voice of community, government, and academic partners to inform policy change, educate the public, and advance health equity by developing a common policy agenda.

 

Strengthen Community Collaboration

Nurturing academic-community partnerships to address research and health equity needs and priorities in underserved communities, ensuring that community voice is a driver in research and action priorities.

Ways to Get Involved

 

Join the Fight Toward Public Health Equity