We knew that change was inevitable.
Recent executive orders spark discussions about the future of public health (and health).
Not all of these polices may ultimately be implemented or survive legal challenges. However, they offer a clear window into the administration’s priorities and intent.
From changes to health care access to the banning of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These actions signal a shift in public health that could reshape health care, health equity, and community health.
Let’s explore some of the implications of this administration’s executive orders and directives.
Key Public Health Impacts
The Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders and directives that could significantly impact the public’s health.
While some of these changes will face legal or logistical hurdles, they reflect the administration’s vision for reshaping the U.S. health landscape.
These decisions have sparked concern among public health professionals, advocacy groups, and communities alike, who fear the devastating impact for the most marginalized and impacted populations.
Let’s break down some of the changes to help you understand what’s at stake—and why staying informed is more critical than ever.
Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO)
The executive order to withdraw from the WHO raises serious concerns for global health.
As one of the largest contributors to the organization, the U.S. plays a critical role in funding and leading efforts to combat global health threats like pandemics, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. Stepping away from the WHO disrupts coordinated responses to these challenges and weakens systems that detect and respond to health emergencies.
This withdrawal also impacts underserved regions that depend on WHO resources for vaccines, disease prevention, and healthcare infrastructure. Without U.S. leadership, other countries with differing health priorities may fill the gap, potentially stalling progress on key health initiatives.
In today’s interconnected world, this decision could have widespread consequences for health security and equity, both globally and at home.
Communication Freeze at Federal Health Agencies
The administration’s decision to limit communication from health agencies like the CDC and FDA has serious consequences.
This directive restricts critical updates about diseases, food safety, and emergencies, leaving communities at risk. Public trust, along with timely and coordinated responses, depends on open communication. Without it, people may face unnecessary risks during crises.
This also creates more space for misinformation to spread, as there is no trusted source to counter it effectively.
Place, Identity, and Public Health
Recent executive orders proposing the renaming of Denali aim to “reclaim national heritage” but are concerning considering their ties to identity and place.
Such changes can affect health by destabilizing cultural connections and undermining the voices of Indigenous and local communities. Place names carry deep historical and cultural significance, and renaming them without community input disregards the importance of identity in fostering resilience and well-being.
This highlights a lack of respect for the native name of the mountain – Denali – given thousands of years ago by the indigenous Athabascans Tribe that stewards that land.
Reproductive and Gender Health
An executive order redefining gender as biological and life as beginning at conception has serious consequences for reproductive and gender health.
This policy could restrict abortion access, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and gender-affirming care for transgender individuals, further marginalizing already vulnerable groups.
By ignoring diverse identities and reproductive needs, it risks deepening health disparities and limiting access to care for many.
Reversal of Health Care Reforms
Executive orders reversing Medicaid expansion and Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions pose significant threats to healthcare access for millions of low-income Americans.
By scaling back Medicaid eligibility and ACA subsidies, many families risk losing coverage, leaving them unable to afford essential medical care. States now bear a heavier financial and logistical burden in managing their health care systems, as they are forced to fill the gaps created by federal rollbacks.
These changes disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Rural residents, people with low socioeconomic status, people of color, and those with chronic conditions will feel the brunt of these changes.
Without this access many individuals delay accessing and getting treatments in health care settings, further deepening inequities in health outcomes.
Immigration Executive Orders
Stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration disproportionately affect undocumented workers – who play a critical role in industries like agriculture, food service, and construction.
These workers often lack access to health care and, due to heightened fears of deportation and increased ICE raids, are deterred from seeking medical care, exacerbating stress, trauma, and untreated health conditions. Refugees in the U.S. also face additional barriers to healthcare and integration under these policies.
The public health implications are far-reaching, as untreated illnesses in underserved populations can spread, harming community health.
Additionally, disruptions in labor-intensive industries like agriculture threaten food security, creating ripple effects that extend beyond immigrant communities. These policies not only harm vulnerable populations but also undermine the health and stability of the broader U.S. populations.
DEI Initiatives Ban
President Trump’s executive order banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs for federal workers frames these initiatives as “illegal discrimination.”
This decision erases critical efforts to address systemic inequities in hiring, public health, and other areas that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Without DEI initiatives, agencies lose valuable tools for fostering diverse, culturally competent workforces that are better equipped to address complex challenges.
Health professionals warn that eliminating DEI training weakens efforts to reduce inequities and risks diminishing resources and services for underserved populations.
The ripple effects extend to contractors, consultants, and organizations reliant on federal funding. Small and minority-designated businesses, which have historically benefited from federal contracts tied to equity-focused initiatives, face reduced opportunities, threatening their financial stability and ability to contribute to solutions.
Nonprofits, universities, and community organizations are similarly affected, as equity-focused grants may dwindle, forcing them to scale back programs designed to serve vulnerable populations.
By hindering diverse hiring, stifling public health innovation, and marginalizing equity-focused organizations, this order exacerbates systemic inequities and diminishes progress toward health equity.
Economic Impacts of New Administration
Economic policies under the Trump administration worsen income inequality, directly impacting public health.
Low-income families, already struggling with limited healthcare access, now face rising living costs and cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, along with weaker labor protections, leave workers with fewer resources to support their families.
These changes increase financial stress and limit access to care, worsening health disparities for marginalized communities.
Without strong safety nets, vulnerable populations are at greater risk for poor health outcomes, making advocacy for equitable policies more critical than ever.
Impacts on the Public Health Workforce
Executive orders banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and altering federal funding priorities have created significant challenges for the public health workforce.
A memo from the Office of Personnel Management instructed agency heads to place DEI employees on leave, signaling the dismantling of these roles.
Federal and state employees face reduced training opportunities, lower morale, and increased turnover as DEI programs are dismantled. Contractors and consultants specializing in health equity are losing contracts, destabilizing essential programs. Nonprofits and grant-funded organizations, particularly those serving marginalized communities, are scaling back as funding shifts away from equity-focused initiatives.
These changes risk weakening the capacity and diversity of the public health workforce, ultimately affecting its ability to serve the communities that need it most.
Impact on Traditional Public Health Capacity
A 2021 report highlighted that public health departments require an 80% increase in full-time equivalent positions to provide basic services, underscoring a significant (and likely to grow) staffing shortfall.
High turnover rates add further strain; between 2017 and 2021, nearly half of state and local public health employees left their positions, leading to a critical loss of skills and experience. The departure of experienced professionals, coupled with the challenges in attracting new talent due to shifting federal priorities, harms the U.S.’s ability to respond effectively to public health emergencies, and address health challenges.
As federal and state roles become less attractive and funding becomes less stable, the public health workforce risks losing both its capacity and diversity. This trend could exacerbate inequities and hinder progress toward healthier communities
Ensuring there is a robust and diverse public health workforce has to be a critical goal to ensure the U.S. hits its health goals.
Practical Steps to Adapt and Thrive in a Shifting Public Health Landscape
1. Prioritize Your Well-being
Navigating a changing landscape can be stressful, so it’s crucial to take care of yourself. Prioritizing your well-being ensures you can continue to show up for others and stay resilient.
Practice mindfulness, exercise, and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Taking care of yourself is the foundation for navigating uncertainty effectively.
[read: Revolutionizing Productivity: The Case for Rest in Public Health]
2. Know Your Value and Network
Recognize your unique skills and contributions.
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your accomplishments and transferable skills. Highlight achievements that showcase your impact and ability to adapt to diverse challenges.
Networking remains key—join professional groups, engage with alumni networks, and participate in online forums. These connections not only provide opportunities but also create a support system during uncertain times.
3. Explore Non-Traditional Public Health Opportunities
Public health skills are increasingly valuable across diverse industries.
Organizations that historically did not prioritize hiring public health professionals—such as those in technology, insurance, philanthropy, and corporate social responsibility—are now recognizing the importance of these skillsets and hiring at higher rates. Your expertise in data analysis, program development, community engagement, and health equity can drive meaningful change in areas like advocacy, global health, or community development.
By exploring roles outside traditional public health spaces, you can expand your impact and find opportunities that align with your values while advancing public health goals in innovative ways.
Conclusion
These executive orders and directives mark a pivotal moment for public health, with profound implications for equity, access, and global collaboration. Advocacy, awareness, and engagement are essential to address these challenges and mitigate their impact on vulnerable populations.
Call to action:
- Stay informed by following updates from trusted sources like NPR and the CDC.
- Contact your representatives to express concerns about these policies.
- Support organizations committed to health equity and access for all.
- Start building your organizing base on issues that matter to you.
Together, we can take action to protect public health, advance equity, and build a healthier future for all.