This Monday, ASPPH released a statement on the Trump Administration’s FY 26 “skinny” budget proposal, which calls for steep funding cuts and structural changes to key public health agencies and research institutions. The proposal includes a nearly 40% reduction to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget and the elimination of the Fogarty International Center and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, among others.

The elimination of programs that support health equity, global health diplomacy, and public health workforce development is especially concerning. ASPPH emphasizes that the proposed restructuring and funding reductions would weaken scientific continuity, disrupt careers, and damage the nation’s capacity to address current and future health threats, from pandemics to chronic diseases to the health impacts of climate change.

ASPPH is calling on Congress to reject the administration’s proposal and instead reaffirm bipartisan support for strong, sustained investment in public health, science, and innovation.

ASPPH will continue to advocate for robust FY 2026 investments in academic public health, including increased funding to protect research, training, and community health infrastructure and we encourage you to share our statement with your congressional delegation.