For decades, public health institutes have contributed to the development and delivery of critical programs and services, research and evaluation, and policies to protect and improve people’s health. Across the country, they work with state and local government and community stakeholders to address the many factors—such as clean water and air, safe walking routes and protection from health threats—that affect people’s ability to lead healthy lives. Yet, the work of public health is often invisible—but research shows that public health measures add 25 years to the life of the average American.

“Helping Public Health Institutes Become a Key Player in the “New” Public Health: Strengthening the Nation’s Public Health Institutes,” a progress report recently released by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), examines the results of a multi-year project conducted by National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI). NNPHI, of which PHMC is a member, launched this project to build, strengthen and nourish new and emerging public health institutes.

“This report offers an excellent description and glowing endorsement of our critical role as a public health institute,” said Richard Cohen, PhD, FACHE, president and CEO of PHMC.

Read why public health institutes, like PHMC, are a key part of the new public health, and how they help fill the gap between what communities need to be healthy and services provided by governmental public health systems.

Everyone is a primary stakeholder in and beneficiary of public health. After reading the progress report, consider sharing your thoughts so that we might continue to build the narrative around public health and help ensure ongoing support for the work we do.