title: Increasing Our Advocacy Capacity Through HIV Community Mobilization: Perspectives From Emerging and Mid-Career Professionals.
abstract: In this commentary, six public health practitioners and researchers discuss how their participation in the El Paso HIV Community Mobilization effort has contributed to their professional development and increased their collective capacity to advocate for practice and policy improvements that contribute to health equity in general and within the context of HIV prevention. Like previous commentaries in this department that have highlighted the value of the Certified Health Education Specialist credential ( http://www.nchec.org/health-education-credentialing ) and the importance of gaining experience in policy advocacy, this article is relevant for public health professionals in diverse work settings. The authors hope that their experience will encourage others to participate in community mobilization efforts, and they welcome communication and collaboration with anyone interested in learning more about the HIV Community Mobilization efforts discussed in this commentary.
authors.affiliation: 1 City of El Paso Department of Public Health, El Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ovalle
authors.affiliation: 2 The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Oralia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Loza
authors.affiliation: 1 City of El Paso Department of Public Health, El Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peralta-Torres
authors.affiliation: 2 The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.|3 University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: 4 Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.affiliation: 2 The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.|5 YMCA of El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mata
keywords: HIV/AIDS; LGBT; Latino; advocacy; career development/professional preparation; community organization; minority health