Where Do We Go From Here? Reflections on Public Health's Past, Present and Future

A Call for Bold Collaboration in Uncertain Times

Dear colleagues and friends,

I'll be honest - as I sat down to write this newsletter, I felt... disoriented. (Even now, as I type— I am not quite sure what my "thesis" will be.) Like many of you, I've been trying to process the rapid changes in our field while figuring out how to be most helpful and purposeful. The irony isn't lost on me that after years of explaining what public health is, we now face unprecedented visibility - though not always in ways we might have hoped.

In searching for clarity, I found myself drawn to a remarkable piece from 1955 in the American Journal of Public Health titled "Where Do We Go from Here in Public Health?" by Dr. Wilson Sowder. Nearly 70 years later, his words feel startlingly relevant:

"One of the great handicaps that we face in public health today is a certain lack of confidence in the future and a lack of plans for it. Perhaps this is because our public health problems seem to have become so numerous and complex."

Sound familiar?

What gives me hope is the incredible work happening at the local level across the country. Public health, at its roots, has always been grassroots - built from the ground up by communities who understood their own needs. While national headlines focus on controversy, local public health professionals continue doing vital work in their communities. In Virginia, the health department is partnering with hospitals to coordinate population health strategies. In Washington state, regional accountable communities of health are bringing together local leaders, healthcare providers, and community organizations to solve local problems with local solutions. There are countless examples like this.

Perhaps it's time to remember these roots. Maybe the answer isn't in top-down federal approaches that can sow mistrust, but in rebuilding and strengthening our local public health infrastructure - the foundation upon which American public health was built. I honestly don’t know— but right now, we can’t discount anything.

This moment calls us to think differently about what public health can be. We need to break free from preconceived notions and tired arguments about what public health is or isn't. This is no time for egos, academic squabbles over word choices, or fights among colleagues about perfect verbiage while we're all trying to educate and protect millions. We're all drinking from the same fire hose, all fighting battles on multiple fronts. What we need now is bold thinking, creative partnerships, and genuine collaboration.

Some days it feels overwhelming trying to navigate all the changes while staying focused on our mission. But what keeps me going is seeing the unwavering commitment of public health professionals across the country who continue their essential work regardless of political headwinds. As my friend Dr. Katelyn Jetelina recently wrote, "At a time of plague, we did not flee, we did not hide, we did not separate ourselves." That spirit of dedication and resilience defines our field.

This is our call to action. This is our time to shine. In this short time we have on earth, we can and we will leave our mark. But we cannot - and should not - do this alone. This is no time for egos or silos. It's time to lean on each other, to forge new alliances, to reimagine what's possible when we combine our diverse strengths and perspectives.

As we rise to meet this moment, we must also remember to take care of ourselves - to unplug, to be present with our families, to fill our own cups so we can continue serving others. The work of public health is a marathon, not a sprint.

The path forward will require us to rebuild trust, strengthen systems, and tackle both immediate threats and long-term challenges. But at its core, our purpose remains clear: creating conditions where all people can be healthy. This mission endures even as our methods evolve.

The Commonwealth Fund recently highlighted how public health agencies are pioneering innovative partnerships with healthcare systems and community organizations. These collaborations aren't just about responding to crises - they're about building healthier, more equitable communities for the long term. Every day, I see examples of public health professionals developing creative approaches to old challenges, whether through novel uses of data or innovative community partnerships.

I am deeply grateful for my colleagues across this field. Despite today's challenges, I've never been more honored to work alongside such dedicated professionals. Our field has always required both pragmatism and optimism - the ability to face difficult realities while maintaining hope for positive change. That combination, along with our collective strength, will carry us forward.

I know we are battle-weary. Having fought a years-long pandemic (and still fighting), we now face measles outbreaks, avian influenza, rising tuberculosis cases, and challenges we can't yet imagine. But if the history of public health teaches us anything, it's that our greatest strength emerges when we unite in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Our field has weathered many storms before, and we'll weather this one too - together, supporting each other, drawing on our collective wisdom and resilience. The work continues. And so do we.

With hope and determination,
Jess