Public health is...

Public health is everything we do, as a society, to help people live longer, healthier lives. It’s the reason your water is safe to drink, your kids need vaccines for school, and restaurants post health inspection grades. It’s tracking viruses before they spread, preparing for hurricanes, and making sure communities have the tools to recover after disasters. Public health professionals work behind the scenes to prevent disease, protect people from environmental hazards, and ensure health care systems are ready when we need them. It’s not about treating one person at a time—it’s about protecting all of us, everywhere, every day. From preventing opioid overdoses to improving nutrition in school lunches, public health makes life safer, cleaner, and healthier. You don’t always see it, but you benefit from it constantly. When public health is strong, we thrive. When it’s underfunded or ignored, we all feel the consequences. That’s why public health matters—and why we need more people to keep this vital work going.