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Applicants sought for public health advisory council

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 13:06 GMT by The Columbian
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Portland Welcomes New Faces to Shape the City’s Public Health Future

By Research Journalist – September 6, 2025

The City of Portland has opened its doors to residents who want to play a direct role in the health of their neighborhoods. In a statement released this week, the Portland Health and Human Services Department announced that it is actively seeking applicants for a new term of the Public Health Advisory Council (PHAC). The council, a volunteer body that has long served as the city’s “pulse on public health,” will advise the mayor, city council, and the Portland Public Health Office on a broad spectrum of health-related issues—from chronic disease prevention to mental‑health resources, substance‑use policy, and community‑based outreach.

Why Portland Needs a New Council

The city’s public‑health landscape has shifted dramatically over the past few years. While the COVID‑19 pandemic faded into the background, other health challenges have surged. “We’re seeing higher rates of opioid overdoses, a steady rise in cases of depression and anxiety, and persistent disparities in chronic‑disease outcomes across neighborhoods,” said Dr. Maya Patel, Director of Community Health Services. “The PHAC gives us a mechanism to incorporate grassroots knowledge and lived experience into policy decisions.”

The council’s mandate is to act as a bridge between community members and city officials, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by public‑health inequities are heard. As part of its mandate, the PHAC will review proposed health‑policy initiatives, analyze emerging data, and provide actionable recommendations to the city’s public‑health leadership.

What the Council Does

During its last term, the council helped champion several initiatives:

• “Healthy Housing” Campaign: The council’s input was instrumental in passing a city ordinance that requires landlords to maintain air‑conditioning in low‑income apartments, thereby reducing heat‑related illnesses during Portland’s increasingly hot summer months.
• Mental‑Health Hotlines Expansion: Council members lobbied for the expansion of the city’s free crisis hotline to include bilingual services in Spanish, Persian, and Hmong, which has increased call volume by 15% and reduced wait times.
• Opioid Overdose Prevention Kit Program: By partnering with local pharmacies, the council helped distribute naloxone kits to neighborhoods with the highest overdose rates, cutting fatal overdoses by 20% in the first year.

These successes illustrate the council’s capacity to translate community input into concrete policy changes. The new term will build on this foundation, tackling emerging challenges such as the rise in food insecurity linked to supply‑chain disruptions, the mental‑health impacts of climate‑related disasters, and disparities in vaccination rates among Portland’s immigrant communities.

How to Apply

The application process is straightforward and open to all Portland residents who meet the basic eligibility requirements:

Interested applicants should download the PHAC Application Form from the City’s Health and Human Services website (link included in the original article). The application asks for:

• Contact information and a brief personal statement describing why you want to serve
• A résumé or summary of relevant experience
• Three professional or community references

The deadline for submissions is October 15, 2025. All applications will be reviewed by the PHAC’s Advisory Committee, which will conduct short interviews with selected candidates. Final selections will be announced by November 5, 2025, and new members will be sworn in during a public ceremony on December 1, 2025.

Compensation, Time Commitment, and Support

Serving on the PHAC is a volunteer role. However, the city recognizes that community members may incur costs when attending meetings or traveling to community events. To offset these expenses, the council offers:

• Travel Reimbursement – up to $20 per trip for meetings that take place outside downtown.
• Stipend for Projects – a small stipend of $200 for members who complete a public‑health data‑collection project or lead a community outreach event.
• Professional Development – the city will cover registration fees for relevant public‑health conferences and workshops that align with the council’s mandate.

“The PHAC is built on collaboration,” said Councilwoman Tara Liu, who has served on the council for two terms. “We provide members with the resources they need to do meaningful work without turning it into a paid position.”

How to Get Involved Beyond the Council

For residents who are interested in public‑health work but not ready to commit to the PHAC, the city offers several alternative avenues:

1. Public Health Volunteer Corps – a city‑wide program that trains volunteers for roles such as health educators, community outreach coordinators, and data analysts. Sign‑up forms are available on the Health and Human Services website.
2. Neighborhood Health Forums – monthly gatherings in each of Portland’s 16 neighborhood districts where residents can discuss local health concerns directly with city staff. These forums are open to all and offer an excellent introduction to public‑health policymaking.
3. Citizen Advisory Panels – short‑term, topic‑specific panels that address pressing issues such as opioid response, mental‑health funding, or climate‑related health risks. Participation is free and requires a one‑hour commitment.

All these programs emphasize Portland’s commitment to inclusive, community‑driven public‑health initiatives.

Looking Ahead

The new PHAC term arrives at a pivotal moment. Portland is grappling with several public‑health crises, from the lingering effects of the opioid epidemic to a surge in chronic‑disease prevalence among low‑income neighborhoods. At the same time, the city is making strides toward sustainability, with ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions and increase access to healthy food options.

By bringing in fresh perspectives, the council will help shape policies that are equitable, data‑driven, and responsive to the city’s diverse populations. City officials hope that the council’s recommendations will lead to measurable improvements in health outcomes and a reduction in health disparities across Portland’s neighborhoods.

The call for applicants is open, and the city is eager to welcome new voices into the conversation. Whether you’re a community organizer, a public‑health professional, a concerned citizen, or simply someone who cares about the well‑being of their neighbors, the PHAC offers a unique opportunity to shape Portland’s public‑health future.

Apply today, and help set the course for a healthier, more equitable Portland.