Public health associations can make a difference: a tribute to the Canadian contributions and some future challenges for public health associations.

This commentary addresses the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Public Health Association's international program 'Strengthening of Public Health Associations' and its importance for the World Federation of Public Health Associations. Furthermore, it points out future challenges for public health associations throughout the world, on social determinants and fair societies, global governance, non-communicable diseases and chronic conditions, harmful use of alcohol, healthy ageing, and millennium development goals post-2015. The suggestions for keys to success are to expand the advocacy role, to improve the collaboration with public health practitioners, and to develop the interface between evidence and policymaking.