Pathway to a Healthier America: A Blueprint for Strengthening Public Health for the Next Administration and Congress

The public health system—responsible for protecting and promoting health in every community— needs sustained investment, policy support, and protection from political interference. This report is the fifth in a series of reports TFAH has done to align with the presidential election cycle. It provides the Administration and Congress taking office in 2025 a policy roadmap to improve the nation’s health outcomes and bolster its economic and national security by strengthening the public health system. The report was authored after consultation with over 45 public health officials, experts, and organizations.

The public health system is at an inflection point. Americans are living longer, thanks in part to public health interventions. However, too many people are still suffering from preventable health problems, weather-related emergencies are occurring more frequently and with more intensity, and population-level health disparities persist.

The public’s health and the public health system are at risk on several fronts. Underfunding has weakened the public health infrastructure and its workforce. Mis- and disinformation and politicization have contributed to distrust of public health officials and guidance. Public health’s ability to protect communities is also at risk due to proposed or enacted policies that undermine the role of public health officials or limit access to preventive healthcare.

This report includes recommendations across six priority areas to protect and strengthen the public health system and our nation’s health security. The following are highlighted recommendations from the report. See the report for the inclusive set of recommendations.