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How Public Health Took Part in Its Own Downfall

There was a time, at the start of the 20th century, when the field of public health was stronger and more ambitious. A mixed group of physicians, scientists, industrialists, and social activists all saw themselves “as part of this giant social-reform effort that was going to transform the health of the nation,” David Rosner, a public-health historian at Columbia University, told me. They were united by a simple yet radical notion: that some people were more susceptible to disease because of social problems. And they worked to address those foundational ills—dilapidated neighborhoods, crowded housing, unsafe working conditions, poor sanitation—with a “moral certainty regarding the need to act,”…

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Featured

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  Tradeoffs

Tradeoffs started with a simple idea: There are no silver bullets in health care. Dan Gorenstein learned this covering the business of health care at the public radio show Marketplace. Economists, physicians and researchers taught him even the most well-intentioned plans to fix issues like unaffordable insurance, high prescription drug prices and inequitable care for marginalized patients carried risk and unintended consequences. He struggled to fit all that nuance and complexity into his short radio stories.

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To understand how the public health establishment has fallen, and what might be done to redeem it, one needn’t look far back. While the Trump administration may have created a new level of distrust by directly undermining experts, the issues are more deeply ingrained and something a changing of the guard alone couldn’t fix.

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Viral pandemics aren't the only worry: antibiotic resistance, a drop in vaccination and other issues could rapidly put the world's health in peril.

  Why trust is vital to public health strategy

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 How Public Health Failed America

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 Why Public Health Matters

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Previously Featured

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Most people who read health journalism with a critical eye would say it's in bad shape. For evidence, look no further than your local newspaper (if one still exists), or go to your favorite website and learn about "the 10 ways to bust your belly fat for good." Coffee will help you live longer on Monday and kill you quicker by the weekend.

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Resources

HealthAffairs

Published since 1981, Health Affairs is nonpartisan and presents a wide range of timely research and commentary on health issues of current concern in both domestic and international spheres.

Healthcare Industry Today

Public Health News is an EIN News Service for health professionals. Constantly updated news and information about health.

Healthmatters

Healthmatters is an independent non-profit UK magazine covering the NHS, public health and health politics.

This is Public Health

Most people don't realize the impact that Public Health has on their lives, but there are examples all around you. There are factors that determine your health that you can control, and there are factors that you cannot. It's Public Health that fights both of those battles.

Center for Health and Public Policy Studies

The Center for Health and Public Policy Studies conducts research and policy analysis on current issues in health policy and politics that affect California and the nation.

Health Policy Institute

The Health Policy Institute is a multi-disciplinary group of faculty and staff dedicated to conducting research on key issues in health policy and health services research.

Journal of Public Health Policy

To provide a medium for publication of scholarly articles on the epidemiologic and social foundations of public health policy; to present the results of research bearing on such policy; to evaluate administrative experience in the implementation of specific public health policies and programs; and to help make more effective the services provided by health departments.

National Health Council

The National Health Council (NHC) harnesses the collective power of the patient community to address systemic health care issues that affect all patients.

Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce

A collaboration of U.S. government agencies, public health organizations and health sciences libraries.

Public Agenda

Public Agenda is an objective explorer of public opinion and a scrupulously fair minded producer of citizen education materials. Public Agenda's unique research explains and clarifies public attitudes about complex policy issues.

Public Citizen

We fight for openness and democratic accountability in government, for the right of consumers to seek redress in the courts; for clean, safe and sustainable energy sources; for social and economic justice in trade policies; for strong health, safety and environmental protections; and for safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs and health care.

Public Health Foundation

The Public Health Foundation is dedicated to achieving healthy communities through research, training, and technical assistance.

Public Health International

PHI is committed to providing the world’s citizens with freedom from death and suffering from preventable disease through the implementation of basic, low cost public health programs. This commitment is reflected in the development of well-planned and sustainable public health programs and in PHI’s long-standing support of cooperating humanitarian organizations

Public Health Online

Public Health Online began in early 2014 with Dan Schuessler and Wes Harris. Our vision is to provide students, parents and general readers with accurate and expert-driven information and resources about public health topics, careers and the post-secondary educational landscape. We want our in-depth guidebooks and degree- and subject-focused pages to help anyone interested in public health make informed decisions at every turn.

Public Health Reports

Public Health Reports (PHR) has been published since 1878 and is the official journal of the U.S. Public Health Service. Since 1999, PHR has been published by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). PHR is a peer-reviewed journal published on a bi-monthly basis. The six regular issues produced annually offer articles in three main areas: public health practice, research, and viewpoints/commentaries.

Public Health Solutions

Public Health Solutions is a large, multi-faceted organization using a repertoire of methods to generate practical solutions to major public health challenges. We work to improve the health of the public from a variety of angles including service delivery in low income neighborhoods, public health research and evaluation, and technical assistance/capacity building for government and other nonprofits.

The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools

The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (CHHCS) is a nonpartisan resource center at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. CHHCS builds on a 20-year commitment to achieve better health outcomes for children and adolescents through school-connected health programs and services.

Trust For America's Health

Trust for America's Health (TFAH) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority.

AcademyHealth

AcademyHealth promotes interaction across the health research and policy arenas by bringing together a broad spectrum of players to share their perspectives, learn from each other, and strengthen their working relationships.

Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality

As 1 of 12 agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) supports health services research initiatives that seek to improve the quality of health care in America. AHRQ's mission is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Americans.

BeMedWise

The BeMedWise Program at NeedyMed’s mission is working to promote the wise use of medicines through trusted communication for better health

Brookings

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations.

CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and partners have issued the National Action Agenda for Public Health Legal Preparedness as a resource that public health officials, policy makers, and partners may use in assessing and improving their jurisdictions'' legal preparedness for public health emergencies.

Center for Health Care Strategies

A nonprofit health policy resource center dedicated to improving the quality and cost effectiveness of health care services for low-income populations and people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. We work directly with states and federal agencies, health plans, and providers to develop innovative programs that better serve people with complex and high-cost health care needs.

Center for Insurance Policy and Research

Welcome to the website of the Center for Insurance Policy and Research (CIPR). The CIPR serves international, federal and state policy makers, thought leaders and insurance consumers enhancing intergovernmental cooperation and improving consumer protection while promoting legitimate marketplace competition

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is one of the nation''s premier policy organizations working at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals.

Change.org

Change.org is the world's largest petition platform, empowering people everywhere to create the change they want to see. We live in an amazing time, when the opportunity to make a difference is greater than ever before. Gathering people behind a cause used to be difficult, requiring lots of time, money, and a complex infrastructure. But technology has made us more connected than ever.

Drug Recalls

Recalls of pharmaceutical products have surged in recent years...

Farm Wars

When the government tells you that you cannot grow your own food, and slips pesticide-ridden GMOs into the nation’s food supply unlabeled, it’s time to discard the system.

Food & Water Watch

Food & Water Watch works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainably produced. So we can all enjoy and trust in what we eat and drink, we help people take charge of where their food comes from, keep clean, affordable, public tap water flowing freely to our homes...

Greenpeace

Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action.

John A. Hartford Foundation

Founded in 1929, the John A. Hartford Foundation is a committed champion of health care training, research and service system innovations that will ensure the well-being and vitality of older adults. Its overall goal is to increase the nation''s capacity to provide effective, affordable care to its rapidly increasing older population.

KFF

We are a non-profit, private operating foundation focusing on the major health care issues facing the U.S., with a growing role in global health. Unlike grant-making foundations, Kaiser develops and runs its own research and communications programs, sometimes in partnership with other non-profit research organizations.

MacArthur Foundation

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a private, independent grantmaking institution dedicated to helping groups and individuals foster lasting improvement in the human condition.

Minority Health

Life expectancy and overall health have improved in recent years for most Americans, thanks in part to an increased focus on preventive medicine and dynamic new advances in medical technology. However, not all Americans are benefiting equally.

National Academy of Medicine

Operating under the 1863 Congressional charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academies are private, nonprofit institutions that work outside of government to provide objective advice on matters of science, technology, and health.

National Partnership for Women & Families

The National Partnership for Women & Families is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that uses public education and advocacy to promote fairness in the workplace, quality health care, and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family.

NSF

For 60 years, NSF has been committed to public health, safety, and protection of the environment. While focusing on food, water, indoor air, and the environment, NSF develops national standards and provides learning opportunities.

Population Health Sciences

The Institute serves as a focal point for applied public health and health policy within the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health as well as a bridge to public health and health policy practitioners in the state.

RAND Corporation

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis.

Results

We are a nonprofit grassroots advocacy organization committed to creating the political will to end hunger and the worst aspects of poverty. RESULTS is committed to individuals exercising their personal and political power by lobbying elected officials.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation seeks to improve the health and health care of all Americans. Our efforts focus on improving both the health of everyone in America and their health care''how it's delivered, how it's paid for, and how well it does for patients and their families.

The Atlantic Philanthropies

At The Atlantic Philanthropies, we are dedicated to bringing about lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. We award grants to carefully selected organisations that serve disadvantaged people to help these organisations increase their reach and impact, and advocate for social change.

The Center for Consumer Freedom

Founded in 1996, the Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting personal responsibility and protecting consumer choices. We believe that the consumer is King. And Queen.

The Heritage Foundation

The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

Urban Institute

To promote sound social policy and public debate on national priorities, the Urban Institute gathers and analyzes data, conducts policy research, evaluates programs and services, and educates Americans on critical issues and trends.

Wait Time Alliance

The Wait Time Alliance (WTA) was formed out of concern among Canada's doctors over delayed access to care for their patients, and an interest in working collaboratively with stakeholders to improve wait times. The WTA is comprised of several national medical specialty societies whose members are directly involved in providing care to patients.

WeatherOnline

Covering worldwide weather including nuclear fallout, volcanic ash ...

AARP

AARP is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age. We lead positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service.

American Enterprise Institute

The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research is a private, nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics, and social welfare.

American Public Health Association

APHA is the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world and has been working to improve public health since 1872.

Association of Food and Drug Officials

Promoting Public Health, Fostering Uniformity, and Establishing Partnerships

European Commission

The EU has a mandate to complement national action on health. This consists mainly of: -protecting people from health threats and disease -promoting healthy lifestyles -helping national authorities in the EU cooperate on health issues.

Health Canada

Health Canada is the Federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health, while respecting individual choices and circumstances.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

The mission of Health Policy and Management is to advance the public''s health through the development, implementation, and evaluation of science-based policies and practices.

National Academy for State Health Policy

The National Academy for State Health Policy is an independent academy of state health policymakers working together to identify emerging issues, develop policy solutions, and improve state health policy and practice.

National Academy of Social Insurance

Our mission is to promote understanding and informed policymaking on social insurance and related programs through research, public education, training, and the open exchange of ideas.

National Alliance for Hispanic Health

To improve the health and well being of Hispanics. The National Alliance for Hispanic Health is the premier science based organization focusing on Hispanic Health. Alliance community based members reach over 15 million Hispanic consumers throughout the U.S.

U.S. Medicine

The staff of U.S. MEDICINE works to provide objective information about events and policies in federal medicine. We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions

UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research improves the public''s health by advancing health policy through research, public service, community partnership, and education.

US Recall News

US Recall News is not associated with any government agency. We provide what information we can relating to recalled products in the United States, but our list of recalls may not be all-inclusive. While we endeavor to stay up-to-date with all of the latest recalls, your best bet is always to contact the appropriate organization in charge of the recalls...