ABSTRACT
Advocacy has been defined by Bassett in broad terms, as a process through which an issue is promoted by various forms of argumentation. Advocacy is seen by some as an obligation and as much a part of public health practice as science. Weed and Mink and Chapman focus on the potential role and responsibilities of epidemiologists in the advocacy process. By its very nature, advocacy involves trying to influence policy, be that at an organizational, local or national government level. Successful advocacy often requires strategic planning in order to maximize support and pressure for a particular argument and action in order to bring about a specific outcome. Media advocacy has emerged as a tool in the advocacy process in recent years. Although advocacy involves bridging the gap between knowledge and action, this is only part of the story. However, advocacy has the potential to lead to forms of transformational change of the kind required to narrow health inequalities.
