Entries by Brenda Simmons

Misinformation About COVID-19 is a Crime that Should Have Consequences

As seen on the San Diego Union-Tribune. Some people’s staunch allegiance to misinformation about COVID-19 was sadly unmistakable at a San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting on Aug. 31 when the board declared health misinformation a public health crisis. Despite opposition from close to 200 people and hostility from some of speakers at a […]

Vaccination is Our Best Path to Ending the COVID-19 Pandemic

As a public health nonprofit agency working in many diverse communities, we aim to help mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 virus, which has hit under-resourced communities the most. A focus on prevention not only makes good sense, but in the case of vaccination, saves lives. Data show not only higher COVID-19 impacts in communities […]

Institute for Public Strategies to Present Community Power and Equity Case Study at APHA Annual Conference

SAN DIEGO, August 2021 – An Institute for Public Strategies (IPS) program manager has been selected to present this year on health inequities in communities of color at the prestigious American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting and Expo in Denver. The APHA event is the largest and most influential gathering of public health professionals, with this […]

Five Youth Engagement Strategies that Work (Even During a Pandemic)

Youth can be the most effective advocates and change makers. But for those of us in public health, engaging youth during the pandemic has been challenging for a myriad of reasons (zoom fatigue tops the list). In addition, students have busy schedules, competing interests and limited availability. This article provides five how-tos from three professionals […]

I Am a Change-Maker in My Community and Here’s My Story

Now that I have your attention, I’d like to tell you why and how you should incorporate storytelling into advocating for change in your community through media advocacy. But first, a quick definition of media advocacy. It’s the strategic use of media to advance policy issues that benefit public health and safety. It raises issues […]

IPS wins Los Angeles County Department of Public Health grant to combat dangers of second hand smoke in multi-housing units

LOS ANGELES, April 2021 – Institute for Public Strategies Los Angeles announced it has received a grant to address the harmful effects of second hand smoke and help eliminate its dangers in multiunit housing, such as apartment buildings and condominiums, through prevention and policy. The grant’s objective is to create “a social milieu and legal […]

IPS community organizer appointed to Chula Vista Redistricting Commission and high school district bond oversight committee

SAN DIEGO, February 2021 – Institute for Public Strategies (IPS) South Bay Community Organizer Stelle Andrade has been named the youngest member of the City of Chula Vista Redistricting Commission and was selected to serve on the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for the Sweetwater Union High School District. The redistricting commission is tasked with drawing […]

Wear a Mask for 100 Days: How President Biden’s call to action can restore America’s faith in public health

Wearing a face mask during a pandemic seems like a no-brainer. Public health experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci have repeatedly endorsed the practice, along with handwashing and social distancing, as critical to curbing the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, with a new variant of the coronavirus entering the U.S., now is the time to take definitive […]