Empowering Policymakers to Invest in Public Health: A Campaign and Resource Guide

(Washington, DC, April 12, 2023)—The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and its Communications and Marketing members are proud to announce the launch of a new campaign and resource guide to increase public and policymaker understanding and support for public health. The public health awareness resource guide is a valuable resource for ASPPH and its members, providing essential messaging and advocacy tools to secure sustained public health investments.

Public health interventions improve health outcomes and save money by preventing or reducing the burden of diseases, decreasing healthcare costs, and increasing economic productivity. According to a 2022 report by the Center for American Progress (CAP), investing in public health can result in significant cost savings for individuals and society. The report states that “one study in California found that every $1 invested in public health yields up to $88 in improved health status and benefits to society.” Investing in public health interventions is a wise decision for improving health outcomes and a smart financial decision for both individuals and society.

“The need for regular and sustainable funding for public health has become increasingly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. With stop-and-go government funding often arriving too late to make an impact, our new resource guide aims to promote sustained public health investments,” says Tim Leshan, ASPPH’s Chief External Relations and Advocacy Officer.

The resource guide includes key messaging that ASPPH members and other schools and programs of public health can use when talking with the public or policymakers about the need for ongoing investments in public health. It also provides suggested social media content, email and newsletter copy, videos and scripts, issue briefs for policy staff, and more.

Academic institutions of public health play a vital role in advancing health in their communities, including partnering with state and local health departments, community health practice programs, and research collaborations. Schools and programs of public health also educate the future public health workforce and provide rigorous evidence to make decisions for a healthier world. In this era of disinformation, advocating for a renewed investment and commitment to our nation’s public health is more critical than ever. We believe that investing in public health is investing in the health and well-being of our communities.

With over 104,000 students, faculty, researchers, and staff, the ASPPH community is uniquely positioned to elevate public health’s universally shared goals and ideals to budgetary decision-makers at the state and local levels. The ASPPH campaign and resource guide aim to support these efforts and ensure investments in public health that benefit everyone.