APHA Names U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders as Legislator of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]

The American Public Health Association is pleased to honor Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, with the 2026 APHA Distinguished Public Health Legislator of the Year Award for revealing recent Trump administration efforts to undermine preventive public health measures. Sanders exposed emails that showed Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s plans to replace officials in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with anti-vaccine members, as well as goals to eliminate influenza vaccine campaigns and falsely link vaccines to autism. A ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Sanders has long been a proponent of public health, serving on committees with jurisdiction over veteran’s healthcare, climate policy and safety net programs such as Social Security and Medicaid.

“Senator Sanders is a true champion, continually advocating for the right to health care for all Americans and strengthening the nation’s public health. His efforts to highlight the benefits of U.S. vaccination policy and support for evidence-based vaccine recommendations for children is just another example of leadership needed at a time when families are navigating difficult decisions to protect their health,” says APHA CEO Georges C. Benjamin, MD.

We are also appreciative of ongoing efforts by Sanders to highlight and work to pass legislation to address the health impacts of climate change, income inequality, racial justice and the many other challenges we face to ensuring strong health outcomes for all Americans. Sanders and each of APHA’s 2026 Award Winners will be honored during the Public Health Awards Ceremony and Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. CT today. Information on all 14 of these distinguished awardees is available here.

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The American Public Health Association champions optimal, equitable health and well-being for all. With our broad-based member community and 150-year perspective, we influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.