Why Academic Public Health Matters

We are in unprecedented times. COVID-19 is a crisis that all of us are experiencing firsthand in one way or another. ASPPH has been actively engaged in the COVID-19 response by supporting both our members’ mission activities as well as federal, state, and local response initiatives. COVID-19 media coverage continues to highlight the amazing work being undertaken by member faculty, staff, and students. This is a challenging time for our world, our communities, our colleagues, and our students. COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of the work we do as an academic public health community- the need for a well-trained public health workforce, the need for generating the research and evidence for public policy, and the need to advocate for a sustained focus on prevention, health, well-being, and social justice. Academic public health provides the expertise needed to prevent and respond, to coordinate and plan, and to lead and educate the world to meet the daunting health challenges of the 21st century.

Our mission remains the same– to engage and support our members to strengthen the voice of academic public health by advancing leadership, excellence, and collaboration in academic public health education, research, and practice. ASPPH has a staff of 33 individuals who have an incredible work ethic and are dedicated to advancing public health. ASPPH-member schools and programs and their faculty, staff, and students are engaged in a range of heroic actions to meet the needs of their campuses and communities related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I realize this is a time of financial uncertainty for many. However, your contribution ensures that ASPPH can continue to advance the important educational, research, and practice mission work of our members around COVID-19 and other pressing public health issues and so that we can create a healthier world. Your financial support ensures that ASPPH can continue to serve our members and the future public health workforce.

We do not know what the future holds in a post COVID-19 society. We do know that a strong and vibrant cohort of schools and programs of public health will be the bulwark of our protection against future pandemics. Your financial support for ASPPH will ensure that academic public health can continue to flourish.

Warmly,

Laura Magaña, PhD
ASPPH President and CEO