At a time when the world faces complex health challenges, public health education remains essential. In response, the nation’s schools and programs of public health have come together to launch Public Health, Now More Than Ever—a nationwide initiative to encourage students to pursue degrees in public health and reinforce the critical role of the field in shaping a healthier, more resilient future.

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) is deeply concerned by the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recently announced restructuring plan, which includes reducing the workforce by 25% and consolidating key agencies.

On Monday night, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), alongside the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), joined a lawsuit to block the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s new policy to cap Facilities and Administrative (F&A) cost reimbursements at 15% for federally funded research grants.

ASPPH expresses grave concern over the recent reduction in federal research grants’ Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, as announced in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) memo last week. Effective immediately, all grants will cap F&A costs at 15%. This abrupt decision jeopardizes lifesaving research and threatens to undermine the foundation of academic public health.

ASPPH is deeply alarmed by the recent removal of critical data sets from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. These vital resources, now replaced with a “Page Not Found or Temporarily Unavailable” message, are essential for academic research and frontline public health interventions.

ASPPH released a statement applauding the Senate Appropriations Committee's passage of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for fiscal year (FY) 2025. The statement also urges Congress to fund public health programs at the higher Senate level (vs. the House level) to enable proper preparedness for public health emergencies.

Regardless of the election’s outcome, ASPPH urges the nominees “to commit to leading the nation and world in addressing public health emergencies and in creating an environment in which public health can support optimal health outcomes.”

Regardless of the election’s outcome, ASPPH urges the nominees “to commit to leading the nation and world in addressing public health emergencies and in creating an environment in which public health can support optimal health outcomes.”

ASPPH is deeply concerned by cuts and structural changes to public health agencies proposed in the House Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Labor-HHS-ED appropriations bill.  This reduced funding would weaken the nation’s public health system on the heels of a pandemic that continues to kill hundreds of Americans daily.

ASPPH worked with its Advocacy Advisory Committee to finalize and advocate for programs critical to the academic public health community and announced their FY 2025 funding priorities for academic public health. View a letter to top House and Senate members of the appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

ASPPH joined the American Public Health Association (APHA) as an original co-signer of a letter along with other organizations, which recommends at least $11.581 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) base budget in FY 2025.

ASPPH joined other members of the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) in a letter to the Education and the Workforce Committee leaders expressing deep concern with Section 7(a) of H.R. 6585 and the limitations it will place on health professions students at certain institutions from accessing federal students loans.

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) is pleased that, for the first time in the series of Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings, COP28, the 28th annual United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference, will spend a full day focused on Climate Change and Health.

ASPPH endorsed the reintroduction of the Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt (POST GRAD) Act by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA). The bill seeks to reinstate eligibility for graduate students to receive Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, a privilege revoked by the Budget Control Act of 2011.

ASPPH's Board submits letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nominating the Department of Education Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code of public health as a DHS STEM Designated Degree Program.

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) applauds the Senate Appropriations Committee’s passage of the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS-ED) bill.

We worked with researchers from the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity at the George Washington University (GW) Milken Institute School of Public Health on a new study that identifies institutional characteristics associated with public health student diversity, including faculty diversity.

A recent study featured in Health Affairs revealed a concerning trend: public health professionals are leaving government positions in the US at a rapid rate. If this trend continues, up to half of the governmental public health workforce could be gone by 2025. ASPPH, recognizing the urgency of addressing this issue, released a statement discussing the action roadmap we are designing.

ASPPH submitted comments in response to NIH's Updated Policy Guidance for Subaward/Consortium Written Agreements, Section 15.2. We are concerned that the updated policy for consortium/subaward agreements on NIH-funded grants will be overly burdensome for investigators and hinder advancements in global health.

A recent study featured in Health Affairs revealed a concerning trend: public health professionals are leaving government positions in the US at a rapid rate. If this trend continues, up to half of the governmental public health workforce could be gone by 2025. ASPPH, recognizing the urgency of addressing this issue, released a statement discussing the action roadmap we are designing.

ASPPH expresses deep concern regarding the US Supreme Court's decision to ban the consideration of race or ethnicity in higher education admissions. The importance of diversity in the health professions to reduce health inequities and save lives is supported by scientific evidence.

ASPPH praises the bipartisan agreement to raise the debt ceiling and the establishment of spending caps that protect critical federal programs. However, we are concerned about the rescinded public health funding intended for COVID-19 recovery and infrastructure improvements.

ASPPH joined over 1,100 other organizations in signing onto a letter expressing serious concern about proposed deep cuts to non-defense programs, known as non-defense discretionary (NDD) appropriations, for the FY 2024 appropriations process.

The Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP), of which ASPPH is a member, has declared the low number of historically underrepresented men of color (HUMOC) graduating and entering the health professions a national crisis.

The Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP), of which ASPPH is a member, has declared the low number of historically underrepresented men of color (HUMOC) graduating and entering the health care professions a national crisis.

ASPPH has provided insights on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Request for Input (RFI) on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On behalf of the academic public health community we represent, we provided responses to the RFI questions most relevant to ASPPH’s members and organizational mission.

FASHP, of which ASPPH is a member, released a statement on the importance of academic freedom and diversity, equity, and inclusion across schools of health professions. The statement highlights the importance of preserving principles of academic freedom, open debate, and creating a diverse environment for students.

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and its members recently released a resource guide aimed at increasing public and policymaker support for sustained public health investments.

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and its members recently released a resource guide aimed at increasing public and policymaker support for sustained public health investments.

ASPPH submitted a letter to leaders of the House and Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS-ED) Appropriations Subcommittee on key priorities for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The letter outlines the need to support public health federal agencies and programs critical to the mission of ASPPH and its members.

On behalf of our 141 accredited schools and programs of public health, ASPPH provided comments on the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee’s request for input on the nation’s healthcare workforce shortage issue. ASPPH is grateful for the opportunity to work with the committee on addressing healthcare workforce shortages.

ASPPH applauds President Biden’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s public health infrastructure and expanding access to quality healthcare in the FY 2024 budget proposal.

In the summer of 2022, in response to recent mass shootings in the US, ASPPH renewed its commitment to work to end gun violence and today, we are releasing our Gun Violence Prevention: An Academic Public Health Framework report reconfirming our commitment.

ASPPH applauds the fiscal year (FY) 23 omnibus spending bill, released by congressional leaders earlier this week. The final package makes key investments in federal agencies and programs critical to the academic public health community.

ASPPH is devastated by the recent shootings in Charlottesville, VA, and most recently at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, CO. While the motive for the Club Q shooting is still being investigated, in recent years, the LGBTQI+ community has been faced with a multitude of hate crimes.

ASPPH is committed to taking urgent action to address the climate change crisis and its negative impacts on the health of populations worldwide.

ASPPH commends the Senate for the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which includes provisions impacting deficit healthcare, and climate change. Climate change is possibly the most significant global challenge of the 21st century, with the potential to irrevocably alter the planet and the population’s health.

ASPPH reacts to President Biden's latest executive actions to combat climate change.

ASPPH is deeply concerned about the SCOTUS 6-3 ruling in the West Virginia v. EPA case, significantly limiting the ability of the EPA to regulate carbon emissions from power plants.

ASPPH is extremely concerned with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. This will have irreparable consequences on the strides our nation has made in reducing maternal mortality rates over the past 50 years.

ASPPH leadership sent a letter to the Senate urging quick passage of the bill. The Senate passed a gun violence prevention package called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act by vote of 65-33.

ASPPH is devastated by the recent mass shootings in Buffalo and now at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts break for the victims and families of those who were killed and injured, as well as those who had to endure this traumatic experience.

ASPPH highlighted in its response, the importance of better integrating public health dimensions within the US health care system.

ASPPH's written testimony for the record on recommendations for the Senate Labor-HHS-ED Appropriations Bill to support the mission of our 137 academic institutions.

As the leading voice of academic public health, ASPPH is concerned about the Supreme Court’s draft opinion regarding Roe v. Wade. ASPPH believes access to family planning services is an essential component of public health. Removing access to these services will significantly impact maternal health outcomes.

ASPPH commends President Biden’s commitment to strengthen the health of Americans through important investments in public health, biomedical research, and education programs in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget proposal.

ASPPH applauds final passage of the fiscal year (FY) 2022 omnibus spending package. The bipartisan, bicameral measure invests in key federal agencies and programs of importance to the academic public health community.

ASPPH does not endorse third party ranking systems of schools and programs of public health. All ASPPH member institutions, who have earned accreditation from the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH), provide a high-quality education that prepares students for success in public health and related careers.

As an organization that supports public health for everyone, everywhere, we condemn these egregious acts that infringe upon our deeply held principles of human rights and social justice. We call for an end to these violent attacks.

We at ASPPH and our member schools and programs are deeply saddened by the death of Dr. Paul Farmer. He was a world-renowned physician, anthropologist, professor, author, and a tireless advocate for global public health. Dr. Farmer made a tangible impact on the health of many people in underserved parts of the world.

We support the efforts of the PREVENT Pandemics Act to improve public health workforce education, training, and research that will strengthen the nation’s public health and medical preparedness and response systems.

ASPPH is disappointed with the Senate’s failure to pass an election reform package that would expand civic engagement in the US. The fundamental right to vote is a key pillar of our democracy and we must ensure safe access to achieve optimal public health for all Americans.

We are extremely disappointed that the Supreme Court chose to overlook what science has proven time and time again, which is the critical role of vaccines and testing in preventing illnesses and call on employers to take the lead on setting their own vaccination requirement policies rooted in both scientific evidence and common sense.

As part of the FY 22 appropriations process, ASPPH urges Congress to prioritize funding for critical public health programs that promote prevention and prevention research, advance preparedness, ensure that we have a well-trained and resourced public health workforce, and that promotes health equity and social justice.

College campuses have unique risks of spread and a return to a more normal education may require extraordinary efforts to vaccinate campus communities.

Now more than ever, given the inequity in vaccine uptake in the US and the rising rates of the COVID delta variant in many regions, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health strongly supports community outreach efforts promoting COVID-19 vaccinations and calls on the nation’s elected leaders to unite to encourage and support such initiatives.

For the past two decades, public health education has experienced continued growth at both the undergraduate and graduate degree levels. This growth is now spiking during the pandemic, with a 40 percent increase in applicants to 2021 graduate-level degree programs compared to March 2020.

ASPPH strongly endorses the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to begin the regulatory process to ban menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and ban all characterizing flavors (including menthol) in cigars.

ASPPH does not endorse third party ranking systems of schools and programs of public health or participate in their creation, production, or promotion.

ASPPH will not tolerate harassment and discrimination in any form. Our members stand united in opposing efforts to demonize individuals due to their ancestry or birth country. The enemy is COVID-19 and not our fellow human beings.

ASPPH calls on all Americans to rededicate themselves – both individually and collectively — to the fundamental values that allow democracy to work. It is essential to our future as a functioning country and society — but it is also essential to our health and wellbeing.

DHS' visa duration proposal would create unnecessary procedural uncertainty for international students by introducing a burdensome and bureaucratic extension of stay process to the normal visa system.

If followed, the recommendations in the Great Barrington Declaration would haphazardly and unnecessarily sacrifice lives. The declaration is not a strategy, it is a political statement.

Regardless of the result of November’s election, public health challenges will test the President’s ability to communicate effectively and to bring the country and the world together to make difficult policy choices and long-term investment decisions to achieve our shared vision of improved health for everyone, everywhere.

Regardless of the result of November’s election, public health challenges will test the President’s ability to communicate effectively and to bring the country and the world together to make difficult policy choices and long-term investment decisions to achieve our shared vision of improved health for everyone, everywhere.

Racial sensitivity and unconscious bias training courses represent an important part of our collective effort to shift culture towards a world that is welcoming of all, without prejudice.

ASPPH does not believe that the CDC’s revision reflects the best available science or is in the best interest of the public’s health. ASPPH strongly urges the CDC to reconsider its change, especially considering the confusion and consternation it has generated among public health and medical professionals and the general public.

Given the lack of evidence of the effectiveness of GRE scores in predicting the academic success of graduate students, schools and programs of public health and Public Health Admissions are moving away from requiring GRE scores and are instead focusing more on a holistic process for evaluating applicants.

The work of public health professionals is to protect and improve the populations’ health. The current disaster highlights multiple problems contributing to a worsening health catastrophe in Lebanon, requiring urgent international support and solidarity.

ASPPH staff and members are committed to addressing racial injustice by teaching skills to advocate for the essential public health values of compassion, empathy, justice, and equity. Read our full statement.

ASPPH is engaged in the COVID-19 response by supporting both our members’ mission activities as well as federal, state, and local response initiatives. Learn more about what we're doing.

ASPPH stands with Dr. Fauci and encourages him to continue to ‘speak truth to power’ and to trust that the American people can handle scientific truths, and will stand behind informed, reasoned decisions that protect us from Covid-19. Read our full statement of support.

ASPPH strongly opposes the various policy and regulatory impediments that Donald Trump and his administration are imposing on current students and applicants, as well as to international scholars on our faculties. Read the full statement.

This decision is politics at its most dangerous and a blatant effort to shift blame for the failure of the United States to appropriately prepare for a pandemic or to quickly deal with disease’s inevitable outbreak in the US. Read the full statement.

Supreme Court’s Ruling That Trump's Efforts to end the DACA Program Violated the Administrative Procedures Act. Read the brief.

Report and recommendations from the ASPPH Task Force on Public Health Initiatives to Address the Opioid Crisis.