The Path Forward Is Health

Abstract

[...]APHA Press will continue to produce standards to ensure we have trusted methods to produce clean, drinkable water; disease-free foods; and safe dairy products. Despite the roadblocks placed in front of you, you continue to push policies that improve access to low-cost, high-quality health care and medicines for men, women, and children; support the rights of women, racial minorities, and sexual minorities; call for laws and regulations to ensure clean water, clean air, and environmental protections; ensure access to healthy and nutritious foods; and push to codify into law sexual and reproductive rights. In this way, | hope that the voice of hate and division can shift back to one of inclusivity and understanding, with a shared goal of ensuring the health and welfare of all.

With the passing of the 2024 election cycle, the language of hate, racism, indifference, and cruelty is becoming emboldened once again (https://bit.ly/3ZgkNEh), as are threats of violence (https://bit.1y/3Zg6Z]T). Immigrants and sexual minorities are afraid of what will come next (https:// bit.ly/3V2mgfc; https://bit.ly/40RVj10), and potential appointees to the new administration are already espousing the changes they plan to make post-inauguration (https://bit.Iy/3AVbC2T).

We will continue to witness in real-time attempts to dismantle trust in medicine and the public health infrastructure, and we could very well see some infrastructure removed. The future is not certain, however, and although it seems bleak, | feel that championing and safeguarding health for everyone is the surest path forward. As the Publications Director at the American Public Health Association, my department will continue to work with our A/PH and book editors and authors to provide the best science and authoritative knowledge on public health policy and initiatives. We will strive to ensure these necessary resources are available to support the public health workforce and researchers, educate our students, and promote equitable access to health for all.

AJPH has been published for more than 100 years and will continue to showcase the top science in the field. The journal will not hesitate to explore and confront those issues that impact and threaten the public's health and safety. It will continue to provide the necessary research to shape policy and promote health, well-being, and equity in care and access to care for all.

Likewise, APHA Press will continue to produce standards to ensure we have trusted methods to produce clean, drinkable water; disease-free foods; and safe dairy products. We will maintain the highest rigor in developing guidelines and reference material needed to respond to and swiftly contain disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.

Both programs will continue to provide the science and tools required to confront the racist power structures and address racial/ethnic inequities that continue to harm minorities.

They also will promote skills-building for effective policy and community engagement, advocating for improving sexual and reproductive health, assuring equality for racial and sexual minorities, and combating misinformation, chronic disease, and the harms from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

Despite the dark clouds hovering above, our mission will not change. During my time with APHA and AJPH, I've come to admire the strength, passion, and dedication of those who take on the challenge of improving and safeguarding access to health and equality for all. Despite the roadblocks placed in front of you, you continue to push policies that improve access to low-cost, high-quality health care and medicines for men, women, and children; support the rights of women, racial minorities, and sexual minorities; call for laws and regulations to ensure clean water, clean air, and environmental protections; ensure access to healthy and nutritious foods; and push to codify into law sexual and reproductive rights.

You can only keep moving forward, and we will continue to support those efforts. The future is uncertain, but our commitment to serving our members and community is not. More must be done, however, and APHA's Publications department will enhance the way in which we communicate science to include the nonscientist and non-public health expert, who may disagree with the science we are presenting. As this election cycle has demonstrated, when messaging does not resonate, a significant proportion of the US population stops listening. It is imperative that public health messaging be as diverse as the populations we are trying reach so that we can strengthen trust in science and America's safety nets, and so we all better understand how our health and well-being are impacted when public health programs are robust versus under attack or removed. In this way, | hope that the voice of hate and division can shift back to one of inclusivity and understanding, with a shared goal of ensuring the health and welfare of all. AJPH