The North American Spine Society (NASS) is a global multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, ethical, value-based and evidence-based spine care through education, research and advocacy. With a membership of approximately 8,000 health care professionals, it is one of the largest organizations representing spine care specialists. The focus of this article is to detail the current NASS advocacy efforts.

The definition of advocacy is “to plead in favor of; defend in argument; support.” The term originates from the Latin advocare, meaning “to summon or call to one’s aid” or more poetically, “to add a voice.” To advocate is, fundamentally, to speak up in support of a cause or a person.

Since its founding in 1985, NASS has embraced advocacy as part of its core mission. The organization advances this goal through strategic initiatives that include identifying challenges and opportunities in spine care, defining target audiences, setting measurable objectives, refining key messages, selecting effective communication channels, and assigning leadership for execution.