Between disinformation, federal disinvestment, and media fatigue, many of us public health professionals feel like we’re losing ground.
Maybe you’re a recent public health graduate, like myself, questioning whether you picked the wrong field.
Maybe you’re an academic struggling to hang onto NIH grant funding or a state-level professional trying to keep your public health programs afloat.
Or maybe, like most of us, you’re simply drained from having to defend the field that has become your life’s purpose.
Participating in public health is difficult right now, but many great innovations are being made. Let’s dive into some recent public health breakthroughs.
It’s Tough Being in Public Health
The public health landscape is rocky at the moment. For starters, we are facing unprecedented job loss.
The federal government has cut 30,000+ positions from the Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2025.
The Department of Health and Human Services has also called into question the function of science in the United States, cutting funding for health research and canceling meetings for the U.S. Preventive Task Force and the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
These changes are all occurring atop an already shaky bedrock of public distrust in federal institutions and U.S. media.
We are left wondering whether or not we, as public health scientists and advocates, still hold any stake in the game.
7 Public Health Wins (to focus on some good)
Despite the onslaught of bad news, public health is not dead.
In fact, much of the good news in public health is never reported.
This unfortunately is the nature of public health; when prevention works, there’s nothing to cover, and good news is rarely considered news at all.
Despite the fanfare at the federal level, equity-minded public health work is alive and well within many U.S. states.
Here are a 7 people-centered public health developments worth noting (and sharing):
Alabama:
Passed “presumptive eligibility” legislation, which grants Medicaid funding to pregnant women for up to 60 days while they apply for government-funded insurance. This bill will expedite women’s access to care and address the coverage gap for women who are ineligible for Medicaid enrollment until they become pregnant.
Colorado:
Passed House Bill 25-1240, which improves legal protections for tenants using housing subsidies. This bill protects against discriminatory practices, including abrupt eviction, uninhabitable living conditions, for low-income renters. Empowering vulnerable renters, this bill will set the stage for fair housing practices.
Nevada:
Passed two laws to protect residents and outdoor workers from extreme heat and wildfire smoke. The legislation mandates that by 2026, local governments must implement customized plans such as cooling centers, air quality alerts, and workplace safety protocols. These measures aim to reduce heat-related deaths and health risks intensified by climate change.
Oregon:
Approved Senate Bill 951, which establishes strict limits on corporate and private equity control of medical practices. The law closes legal loopholes allowing non-physician investors to make major decisions in medical practices, which will in turn prevent sudden clinic closures.
New Jersey:
Designated a Public Health Institute within the state’s Center for Health Equity and Wellbeing. This move will provide the resources and personnel necessary to coordinate responses to chronic and non-communicable disease occurrence and address health inequities. The state will also bolster its public health workforce.
Connecticut:
Created the Collaborative to End Loneliness, treating the hot-button issue of social isolation as a health crisis. The collaborative aims to raise awareness, end stigma, and address loneliness for younger and older adults.
New York:
Released a Master Plan for Aging, which will integrate public health into long-term care planning. The plan addresses cost of living, caregiver support, prevention and wellness efforts, social engagement, and housing access, among other aspects of aging. Hopefully, this plan will become a roadmap for aging across the country.
Conclusion
As shown through these state-level wins, future developments will likely be decentralized.
This means that we can enact substantial change on the state, local, and community levels. Whether you are a recent graduate, career professional, or someone outside of the field, your next moves matter.
Continue to:
- Discuss recent wins with your peers (and family).
- Advocate for science-based policies in your community.
- Support local organizations committed to equity and disease prevention.
- Revamp your vision of public health and think of creative solutions to pressing issues.
Most importantly, stay connected to your peers, your passion, and to the communities which you serve. The safe, healthy, and equitable future we all hope for is still within reach.