What is Advocacy
Overview
WHAT IS ADVOCACY?
The dictionary definition of advocacy reads: “The act of pleading or arguing in favour of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.”
So what does this mean? It means advocacy is the process by which citizens of a country (usually in the form of a group or non profit) try to influence decision-making around a particular issue or issues.
All over the world health care advocacy, particularly cancer advocacy, acts as a motivator to drive changes in the healthcare systems for the people of its country. It is the process whereby health issues of concern to the patient are addressed at all levels in society.
In light of this, cancer advocacy is about lobbying for improvements in government policies, research, health legislation, treatment options and healthcare providers.
The outcomes of advocacy are the change in laws and policies to the benefit of patients or groups of patients.
The words "advocate" and "advocacy group" can be seen by some as negative terms. Often the perception of and advocate is that of "harshness", "unreasonableness", or "selfishness". The reputation of advocacy, and advocates, who work on behalf of the rights of the cancer patient will suffer or improve depending on our advocacy approach.
Advocacy is not...activism.
Advocacy is not...creating conflict for the sake of conflict.
Advocacy is not...a chance to get even with those that may have wronged you.
Advocacy is not...a way to make you feel powerful at the price of another.
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