Ready: The Clean Air Act, passed in 1970 and strengthened in 1990, made clean air a national priority. Instead of leaving pollution control up to local areas, it created a shared responsibility across federal and state governments based on public health science. 

Set: The law put systems in place to actually reduce pollution, like setting limits on air quality, requiring permits and enforcing rules. These protections made cleaner air the norm, not just a goal and led to long-term reductions in harmful pollutants like smog and fine particles.

Action: Air pollution still doesn’t affect everyone equally. Communities near highways and industrial areas, often low-income communities and communities of color, face higher exposure. Next steps include strengthening standards, improving monitoring in these areas and making sure we continue measuring and funding the health benefits of clean air.

Health Outcomes Impact: By 2020, the Clean Air Act was estimated to prevent over 230,000 early deaths each year, along with millions of cases of illness and missed days of work and school.

Sources: (US EPA, 2015a); (US EPA, 2015b); (US EPA, 2019)

Ready: By the mid-1900s, scientists had strong evidence that lead exposure harms children’s brain development, even at low levels. This led to action in the 1970s to remove lead from gasoline. 

Set: Phasing out leaded gasoline significantly reduced exposure across the entire population. Instead of relying on individual behavior, this policy prevented harm at the source. Monitoring systems also helped track progress and guide further action. 

Action: While progress has been huge, lead is still a problem in older homes, soil and water systems. Continued investment is needed to replace lead pipes and fix unsafe housing, especially in communities that are still disproportionately affected.

Health Outcomes Impact: Children’s blood lead levels in the U.S. dropped by more than 90% from the late 1970s to early 2000s, one of the biggest public health successes in history. 

Sources: (CDC, 2025); (CDC, 2015); (US EIA, 2026); (US EPA, 2015c)

Ready: Before 1968, there was no single number to call in an emergency. The creation of 911 made it simple and fast for anyone to reach emergency services. 

Set: Over time, 911 systems expanded nationwide, connecting dispatch centers, emergency medical services and new technologies that help locate callers quickly. It’s now a core part of how the U.S. responds to emergencies and disasters. 

Action: 911 systems are continuing to evolve, including new features like texting and sharing video. Ongoing investment is needed to make sure all communities, especially rural and under-resourced areas, have equal access to these services. 

Health Outcomes Impact: Fast emergency response saves lives. Quick access to EMS improves survival for events like heart attacks, strokes and serious injuries.

Sources: (NHTSA: 911.Gov, 2018a); (NHTSA: 911.Gov, 2018b); (NHTSA, 2024); (AHA, 2020)

Ready: Research showed that industrial trans fats increase bad cholesterol and raise the risk of heart disease. Since these fats were often hidden in processed foods, people couldn’t easily avoid them on their own.

Set: The FDA stepped in and ruled that partially hydrogenated oils (the main source of trans fats) were no longer safe. This led to widespread changes across the food industry, not just voluntary efforts.

Action: Today, other nutrition risks like added sugar, sodium and heavy marketing of unhealthy foods are the next challenge. Future policies can help make healthier choices the default through things like better labeling and healthier food environments.

Health Outcomes Impact: Removing trans fats from the food supply is estimated to prevent thousands of heart attacks and deaths each year.

Sources: (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2024)