Trust for America's Health

Our nation’s future depends on healthy populations, economic security, and thriving communities. The public health system is key to supporting all of these things. But our public health system is at an inflection point. TFAH’s new report, Pathway to a Healthier America: A Blueprint for Strengthening Public Health for the Next Administration and Congress, is a roadmap for the Administration and Congress taking office in January to make the needed investments to strengthen public health, including modernizing the system’s infrastructure and growing the its workforce. The report outlines six priority areas that, if acted upon, will better position the U.S. to manage public health risks and help address the structural drivers of health inequity and disparities that impact the health, well-being, and prosperity of the country. It also highlights public health impact stories and identifies key actions for the next Congress and Administration to strengthen individual and community health across our lifespans. We know what works. Now is the time for our leaders to invest in proven public health strategies. Read the full report https://lnkd.in/euxtMPAJ

TFAH was happy to host former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at our release of Pathway to a Healthier America: A Blueprint for Strengthening Public Health for the Next Administration and Congress. Her discussion of what government at all levels needs to do to better protect the health of all Americans was well received. "This is a all hands-on deck moment for public health," Sebelius said. https://lnkd.in/euxtMPAJ

TFAH's policy blueprint for the next Administration and Congress will release next week including recommendations for strengthening the nation's public health ecosystem. Stand by for this important report crafted with input from the public health and allied thought leaders. https://lnkd.in/gj7ERAqu

TFAH’s Age-Friendly Public Health Systems Initiative (AFPHS) hosts monthly trainings on how #publichealth can address and support healthy aging in public health. AFPHS convenes subject matter experts from various #publichealth fields to discuss issues such as, how older adults are impacted by the mental health and substance misuse crisis, the prospects for aging in place across the nation, or how ageism affects older adults. Learn about the training sessions and register for October’s training. https://lnkd.in/e7JwMyrN

Important information on the safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines from our colleagues at the de Beaumont Foundation.

J. Nadine Gracia M.D., MSCE, TFAH President and CEO joins the Climate Group this week for Climate Week NYC 2024. We’re in the age of urgency in dealing with the effects of climate change on people, communities, and nations. Public health agencies play a crucial role in protecting Americans’ health and in shaping policies that will lay the groundwork for equitable climate change adaptation. During this week Dr. Gracia and other leaders in #publichealth and #climatechange are meeting to find ways to break down barriers and advance impactful change. We look forward to learning more about their findings. https://lnkd.in/eJJ9DZFM

TFAH’s new report, State of Obesity 2024: Better Policies for a Healthier America, examines the nation’s rising obesity rates, what’s causing the increases, and the policy actions needed to reverse the trends. Today, over 4 in 10 U.S. adults have obesity while nearly 20 percent of children and adolescents, ages 2 to 19, have obesity. Rising obesity rates are a national problem. In 2023, 23 states had adult obesity rates above 35 percent and between 2018 and 2023, 28 states experienced statistically significant increases in adult obesity rates. Communities of color and people who live in rural areas tend to have higher obesity rates, often due to structural barriers to healthy eating, and a lack of opportunities for physical activity in those communities. The report includes evidence-based policy recommendations that federal, state, and local officials and other stakeholders should implement to address the growing obesity crisis. Read the full report at https://lnkd.in/e5f68n-H?

Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, TFAH President & CEO, was recently named as one of the new Health Action Alliance National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health commissioners. We’re thrilled to have Dr. Gracia represent TFAH and public health as she lends her knowledge and expertise to the commission’s efforts to address the health impacts of the changing climate: https://lnkd.in/eP8-jhpX

TFAH’s new report The Impact of Chronic Underfunding on America’s Public Health System 2024: Trends, Risks, and Recommendations examines the ways in which insufficient funding for the nation’s public health system has left it without the necessary resources to prepare for emergencies and safeguard Americans’ health. Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently. Six in 10 U.S. adults have a chronic disease, which along with mental health conditions, account for the vast majority of national healthcare spending. Funding to address these issues hasn’t kept pace with the on-the-ground realities.?In addition, the health security advances made when policymakers increased public health funding due to the COVID-19 emergency are now at risk as this funding ends. Increased and sustained funding and policy action are needed to safeguard the nation’s health. TFAH’s report includes recommendations to enhance the nation’s emergency preparedness and to advance health in every community. Read the full report at https://lnkd.in/enpBAqPV