National Public Health Week 2025: Advocating for the Public Health Workforce
Like many of you, it has been hard to balance celebrating National Public Health Week (April 7-13, 2025) while simultaneously reeling from funding loss and mass firings across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
One of the biggest challenges about working in public health is that it is not always as highly valued as it should be. When public health works, it can be invisible (i.e., outbreaks that do not occur, diseases prevented through vaccines, and workplace injuries prevented with proper training and safe equipment).
When something is not valued as it should be, we are always fighting for it. Advocacy is not a one-time thing in public health. It is ongoing.
As an e-learning instructional designer, I care deeply about public health workforce development.
This includes:
Making investments in public health education and training
Creating accessible learning experiences for public health students and professionals
Urging my representatives to prioritize public health funding
Advocating for recruitment and effective training for a diverse public health workforce
I graduated with my Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Boston University School of Public Health almost 20 years ago. When I look back on this photo, I think “Wow, an advocate was born that day.”
Leah with her Mom and Dad at MPH Graduation. 2006.
Please join me in committing to advocate for public health.
In the current political climate, it is easy to feel discouraged. But let’s keep encouraging each other and celebrating the small victories along the way!
I would love to hear from you!
What public health topics have you called your representatives about recently?
What public health topics will you call about in the coming weeks?