News Releases

In rural and underserved areas of the United States, there is a shortage of physicians trained in obstetrics to care for women. The quality of care for this population during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum is especially crucial. In recognition of the urgent need to address the complex interplay of factors that contribute to maternal health in underserved areas, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has partnered with the American Journal of Public Health to create the special supplement “Improving Maternal Health Outcomes”. Now available online!

In 2014, New York City implemented sweeping traffic-safety reforms through the Vision Zero policy, and researchers have now found significantly reduced rates of traffic-related injury and deaths among Medicaid enrollees.

The Opioid Epidemic in the U.S. is an ongoing crisis, leaving devastated communities and shattered families in its wake. "Responding to the Opioid Epidemic: A Guide for Public Health Practitioners" provides the practical guidance on prevention, treatment and recovery that public health practitioners need.

APHA announces its strong support for a suite of new rules issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce dangerous pollution from the power sector, including significant reductions in carbon pollution, mercury emissions and other hazardous pollutants from existing coal-fired and future natural gas-fired power plants.

The American Public Health Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics support improved nutrition and flexibilities to serve local and traditional tribal foods that are possible with updates finalized in the school nutrition standards announced April 24, 2024 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These school nutrition standards will support a healthier school day for millions of children across the country.

Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals encounter numerous social and institutional challenges that significantly affect their physical and mental wellbeing. Several studies have indicated a higher mental health burden among transgender adults than cisgender adults. A recent study in the May issue of the American Journal of Public Health reports a stark increase in mental health issues among transgender adults from 2014 to 2021.

Leading public health and health care organizations and 133 distinguished deans and public health, health professions, and health law and policy scholars file friend-of-the-court brief to protect the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act in Idaho v. United States

The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH), in partnership with the University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, have created this special issue dedicated to delivering insights that challenge traditional approaches to mental health while focusing on the pressing mental health crises exacerbated by recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, international wars and societal disparities. "The Social Context of Mental Health, Bereavement and Grief: A Call for Public Mental Health" sheds light on the critical intersection of mental health and societal well-being.

The American Public Health Association today praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for releasing a final rule banning the import and use of chrysotile asbestos. Asbestos, a known carcinogen, is responsible for more than 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

The modest funding increases outlined in President Biden’s fiscal year 2025 budget proposal would bolster the public health system’s ability to combat the many urgent challenges facing the nation, including public health emergencies, violence prevention and other ongoing public health threats.

As we all prepare for the 2024 State of the Union, APHA has listed some of Biden's successes and our hopes for his future initiatives.

The American Public Health Association condemns yesterday’s mass shooting in Kansas City. We see it as a sign that we have waited too long to pass the sensible and comprehensive policies this nation needs, and encourage our representatives to do so.

The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have created this special issue dedicated to tackling the urgent matter of mental health among healthcare workers. Health Worker Mental Health: From the Current Crisis to a Sustainable Future delves into the challenges confronting health workers and examines critical research findings that aim to cultivate tangible solutions.

APHA is pleased that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a critical final rule today that will update the annual national ambient air quality standard for particulate matter pollution.

APHA is pleased that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a critical final rule today that will update the annual national ambient air quality standard for particulate matter pollution.

The American Public Health Association is deeply saddened by the loss of visionary leader, compassionate advocate, renowned psychiatrist and former APHA President, Dr. June Jackson Christmas.

APHA’s Governing Council adopted seven new policy statements focused on the critical issues of vaccine equity, youth physical activity programs, incarcerated patient care, forcible displacement of people living unsheltered, fall prevention in older adults and public health requests within enduring international conflict. These policies will help shape APHA's position on legislation and regulations and be utilized to write briefs, fact sheets, reports and statements on these public health topics.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments considering deference to federal executive agencies in Loper and Relentless cases today. These cases put in question the “Chevron deference” that protects the legal stability of public health programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Overturning this long-standing precedent threatens nation’s health care system by undermining authority of federal agencies.

A series of editorials and papers exploring community-engaged research during the COVID-19 pandemic covers how to create effective community needs assessments and surveys to inform local COVID-19 mitigation strategies, how to develop and test locally and culturally relevant community engagement approaches, achieve sustained uptake of proven interventions and examine strategies for building and sustaining community trust.

Special AJPH Supplement Explores Disparities in Equitable Access to Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs

APHA is a staunch supporter of peaceful methods to resolve our differences. The Israel-Hamas war has brought into sharp focus the devastating impact of war. APHA is calling on all parties directly and indirectly involved to find a quick and just end to the violence, ensure the safe release of all hostages, protect all health and aid workers, safeguard health facilities and ensure prompt and sufficient humanitarian aid.

APHA’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity has awarded $75,000 grants to six state Affiliates to support at-risk communities and the transition towards Smart Surfaces as part of the Smart Surfaces Coalition.

APHA recognizes that five of the newly elected members of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) (Debra M. Furr-Holden, PhD; Yvonne (Bonnie) Maldonado, MD; Keshia M. Pollack Porter, PhD, MPH; Joseph B. Richardson Jr., PhD, MA; and Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, MD, MPH, PhD) are current APHA members

A dozen public health leaders urge policymakers to rethink building policies to place human health at the forefront