Commission on Health of the Public and Science (CHPS)

The work of the Commission on Health of the Public and Science (CHPS) is constant, diverse, and significant. 

CHPS regularly processes referrals from the following AAFP entities:  the  Board of Directors, the Congress of Delegates, the National Conference of Constituency Leaders, and the National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students.

CHPS members are often chosen to serve as AAFP representatives on national panels and programs external to AAFP that guide the development of health policies that define standards of care in practice. These national-level efforts have far-reaching implications as the clinical evidence helps define both quality performance metrics for practices and payment for evidence-based care.

CHPS is often tasked with developing or updating position statements in response to media inquiries and current events, thus supporting AAFP’s Board of Directors and representing the membership as it addresses the nation’s most pressing health concerns. CHPS also supports longitudinal campaigns that are the joint products of AAFP’s collaboration with partner organizations, such as the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.

CHPS provides oversight of several member interest groups (MIGs) listed below.  The MIGs can bring forward recommendations for consideration by CHPS. As of this date, the groups include:

• Member Interest Group on Adolescent Health
• Member Interest Group on Breastfeeding
• Member Interest Group on Climate Change and Environmental Health
• Member Interest Group on Global Health
• Member Interest Group on Integrative Medicine
• Member Interest Group on Lifestyle Medicine
• Member Interest Group on Medical Aid in Dying
• Member Interest Group on Obesity
• Member Interest Group on Obstetrics
• Member Interest Group on Reproductive Health Care
• Member Interest Group on Physicians for Life
• Member Interest Group on Wilderness

Commission Service Overview

Members serve a two-year term with an option for one two-year extension. Members of the CHPS meet twice each year, January or February in-person along with other commissions in Kansas City, and June virtually.

CHPS has two subcommittees, each chaired by an appointed commission member. Each commission member typically serves on one subcommittee and may also participate in AAFP cross-commission work groups, member interest groups, and in advisory roles.

1. Subcommittee on Clinical Recommendations and Policies (SCRP): Responsibilities include evaluating proposed and current clinical preventive service guidelines to determine relevance and value to members and our patients. Responsibilities also include evaluating proposed and current clinical practice guidelines on diagnosing and managing acute and chronic diseases at the individual patient level. Often these activities are collaborative efforts involving other national medical societies, quality improvement organizations, and work groups.
2. Subcommittee on Public Health Issues (SPHI): Responsibilities include evaluating and recommending policies touching broad topics of health that affect populations (e.g., social determinants of health, gun violence, disaster preparedness, tobacco cessation, climate change, etc.)  

Reimbursement

The Commission on Finance and Insurance establishes reimbursement policies for commission members. Members are reimbursed:

• A per diem payment when traveling or attending meetings or other events on behalf of the commission.
• Actual travel expenses up to the cost of the lowest refundable coach airfare as well as parking for personal autos and/or transportation between home and airport and airport and meeting sites.

Interested?

If you are interested in nominating yourself for this commission:

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online Commission Nomination Form (available July 15-October 15 each year).

If you are interested in nominating yourself for commission chair (in your final year of service on the commission):

• Contact your chapter prior to starting your application.
• Complete the online Commission Chair Nomination Form (available May 15-August 15 each year).

You can access the Commission Resource Manual for more information here.