National Public Health Week is here, and we usually take this time to celebrate progress and highlight successes. But this year, we’re sounding the alarm – and making a commitment to you.
Last week dealt a major blow to public health across the country. Many of our colleagues, scientists, researchers, policy experts, grant managers, and educators, were dismissed from key agencies like the CDC and EPA. These are experts in their field, tasked with grant oversight and management, as well as training and collaboration opportunities for grantees (like WHE) across the United States. Many of our academic partners were notified their funding had been pulled. This means years – decades – of research and progress could be lost. These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They have real, measurable consequences for the health of our children and our communities.
Since its inception, Women for a Healthy Environment has made a commitment to enter each day by addressing public health risks across the commonwealth and advancing policy initiatives at all levels of government. Our strategies have been, and will continue to be, developed with the best available evidence-based science and research. This is our North Star. And nothing that transpires at the federal government will alter that approach. Our dedicated team had to take a moment to process all of these actions; for we have meaningful relationships and the utmost respect for those we work with. It’s personal to each of us. We’ve faced hard times before, and like then, we’re leaning in. We are driven by our steady commitment to do what’s right, what’s just and what works. We have the resilience and grit to keep going – even when the path forward isn’t easy.
We’ll rely on our relationships with local and state partners to keep moving forward and to dream bigger. We will be bold in our approach and continue to listen to the needs of those most affected by environmental harm. And we’ll double down on our prevention work: reducing lead exposure, preventing radon-related illness, addressing toxics, improving indoor air quality, and ensuring clean water and air for all. These are not luxuries. They are essentials.
National Public Health Week should, and will, be a moment to honor, celebrate, and invest in the systems that protect us. But right now, vital federal regulations that promised cleaner air, safer water, and fewer toxic chemicals are under threat. This is public health and we must advocate for a healthier future.
That’s why we’ll keep telling our story. And we’ll keep pushing elected officials to understand the stakes – because the consequences of doing nothing are far too great. Our children are counting on it – and counting on us.
