An advocate is a person who educates and/or urges support for a particular issue or cause.  Advocates can be individuals, non-profit groups, independent agencies or other organizations.  A public health advocate attempts to influence the way the public and policy-makers think and act on public health policies.

Advocacy efforts may be directed toward issues of general importance as well as specific issues that are currently under consideration by legislators and other policy makers.  It is important to make the distinction between advocacy, lobbying, and electioneering.

The following table may be helpful in making this determination.  Advocacy Guide.doc