About Us
The Maine Public Health Association is the state’s oldest, largest, and most diverse association for public health professionals. We represent more than 700 individual members and 60 organizations across the state. As a statewide nonprofit association, we advocate, act, and advise on critical public health challenges, aiming to improve the policies, systems, and environments that underlie health inequities – but which also have potential to improve health outcomes for all people in Maine. We are not tied to a national agenda, which means we are responsive to the needs of Maine’s communities, and we take that responsibility seriously.
MPHA is a nonprofit, non-governmental public health organization that conducts advocacy and education. If you are interested in learning more about Maine's state health department, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, you can visit its website here.
Mission
The mission of MPHA is to improve and sustain the health and well-being of all people in Maine through health promotion, disease prevention, and the advancement of health equity. MPHA is a statewide, non-profit membership organization that promotes a healthy Maine through advocacy, education, community connection, and coalition-building. MPHA implements the following strategies to achieve its mission:
- Provide leadership in public health;
- Advance local, state and federal public health policy;
- Promote and provide public health training and education; and
- Recognize model programs and public health leaders in Maine.
MPHA has longstanding partnerships with several public health organizations across the state. MPHA is also an affiliated association of the American Public Health Association (APHA). We have collaborated with APHA to grow stronger as organizations, to share expertise, influence, and resources, and to advocate for common priorities at the local, state and federal levels.
APHA is the national voice of public health and champions the health of all people and all communities. It is the only organization that combines a nearly 150-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.
Annual Reports
Awards and Recognitions
2024 APHA Excellence in Climate Leadership Award for Affiliates
2023 APHA Council of Affiliates Outstanding Affiliate Staff of the Year Award (Becca Boulos)
2022 APHA Council of Affiliates Award for Excellence (Sarah Rines)
2022 APHA Climate, Health and Equity State Partners Award
2022 APHA Council of Affiliates History Award
2021 APHA Council of Affiliates Outstanding Affiliate of the Year
2019 APHA Excellence in Climate Leadership Award for Affiliates
2019 APHA Council of Affiliates Outstanding Student of the Year (Emily Bartlett)
Annual Conferences
Each year, Maine Public Health Association hosts the state's largest gathering of public health students and professionals, attracting hundreds of people from across Maine and New England to gather together for networking and education.
Past MPHA Conferences:
40th Fall Conference (2024): Innovations in Public Health
39th Fall Conference (2023): The Public’s Health & the Economy: Working Across Sectors
38th Fall Conference (2022): Adapting in Times of Adversity: The Role of Public Health in Strengthening Maine’s Communities
37th Fall Conference (2021): Dirigo: Rebuilding and Moving Forward Together
36th Fall Conference (2020): The Intersection of Mental Health and Public Health (Eastern), Food and Behavioral Health (Western), One Maine, One Health (Northern), and Public Health Innovation and Adaptation and Social Determinants of Health (Southern)
35th Fall Conference (2019): One Maine, One Health.
34th Fall Conference (2018): Addiction and the State of Public Health in Maine
33rd Fall Conference (2017): Health Equity: Can We Get There From Here?
32nd Fall Conference (2016): Population. Environment. Policy.
31st Fall Conference (2015): Building Our Brand: Making Public Health Visible in Maine
30th Fall Conference (2014): Building on 30 years of Public Health Progress in Maine
29th Fall Conference (2013): Health in All Policy: The Value of Public Health in Maine
28th Fall Conference (2012): Community Connections: Building Creative Partnerships for the Health of all Mainers
27th Fall Conference (2011): Facing Public Health Challenges Today for a Healthier Tomorrow
26th Fall Conference (2010): Mosaic of Public Health: Putting the Pieces Together
25th Fall Conference (2009): Portraits of the Past, Visions of the Future
24th Fall Conference (2008): Politics and Public Health
23rd Fall Conference (2007): Public Health Emergencies