A new era of health care reform places increasing pressure on piblic health leaders and agencies to participate in the public policy arena.

Public health professionals have long been comfortable in providing the scientific knownledge base required in policy development.

What has been more recent in its evolution, however, is recognition that they must also play an active role in leading and shaping the debate over policy.

A profile of effective State legislative policy « entrepreneurs » and their strategies has been developed to assist health agencies in developing such a leadership position.