Public Health Priorities

2026 Advocacy Priorities

Making Public Health A Top National Priority

Adopted by the APHA Executive Board

  • Increase and protect funding for vital public health agencies and programs and strengthen the nation’s public health infrastructure and workforce.
  • Defend existing federal public health programs and the workforce in light of ongoing efforts to defund important agencies and programs and dramatically reduce the federal public health workforce.
  • Uphold and strengthen the Affordable Care Act and the Medicaid program and further expand access to health coverage and services.
  • Tackle the health impacts of climate change.
  • Protect access to women’s health services and reproductive health care.
  • Strengthen and uphold critical public health laws, including defending and challenging existing public health and environmental health laws and regulations in the federal courts.
  • Address the nation’s gun violence epidemic by advocating for interventions to reduce firearm-related morbidity and mortality and maintaining and expanding  funding for gun violence prevention research at CDC and NIH.
  • Advocate for the humane treatment of all immigrants, including in detention facilities, and support access to needed health services, safe living conditions and nutritious food.

APHA will also be closely monitoring other important issues including (key examples only - not an exhaustive list):

  • Reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act
  • Support FDA prohibition on sale of menthol cigarettes.
  • Passing a long-term Farm Bill to protect nutrition security.
  • Protect nutrition standards for children.
  • Monitor, evaluate and advocate against relevant Project 2025 policy proposals.

What can you do?