Public health helps prevent disease and improve the health of communities—primarily through efforts outside of traditional medical care, such as tracking and predicting emerging and persistent threats, responding to health risks and events, and promoting health through education and policymaking. Public health organizations promote cleaner air and water, better sanitation, food safety, safer environments with less violence and injury, disease prevention, and access to vaccines, among other priorities.
The Center for American Progress advocates and supports efforts to strengthen the public health system’s basic infrastructure to accomplish these essential functions.
New Clean Vehicle Standards and Investments Improve Public Health, Fight Climate Change, and Build Domestic Supply Chains
Shannon Baker-Branstetter, senior director of Domestic Climate and Energy Policy at the Center for American Progress, testified on the clean vehicle standards and federal EV investments, highlighting the consumer, grid, climate, and national security benefits of EVs.
Universal Paid Sick Time Would Strengthen Public Health and Benefit Businesses
A national, guaranteed right to paid sick time is essential for the well-being of workers and their families and would have profound positive impacts on public health and businesses.
The U.S. Needs a Federal Program To Expand Vaccine Access and Equity for Adults
A Vaccines for Adults program is critical to expand vaccine access among uninsured adults and boost vaccination rates, therefore promoting equity and reducing health disparities.
5 Actions the FDA Can Take To Reduce Heavy Metal Toxins in Baby Food
As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revises guidance for allowable levels of lead in baby food, further federal action is needed to protect all young children from environmental toxins in food products.
Maysville, North Carolina, Town Manager Schumata Brown writes about how PFAS contamination has affected his rural community for years. With funding from the infrastructure law, the Biden administration is delivering much-needed funding for water infrastructure to rural communities.
CAP’s Comments on FDA Draft Guidance for Lead Levels in Foods Marketed to Babies and Young Children
The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in response to the agency’s proposed draft guidance intended to reduce lead in foods marketed for infants and young children.
Advancing Access to Contraception in States Through Quality Measures and Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling
The fourth and final report in this Center for American Progress series highlighting best practices to improve and expand access to contraception at the state level focuses on the importance of contraceptive quality measures.
CAP’s Comment on the EPA’s Proposed Soot Pollution Standards
The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the agency’s proposed rule on soot pollution standards.
Improving Safety, Accident Response, and Public Health in the Wake of Recent Train Derailments
A comprehensive response to the East Palestine derailment must include safety reforms that will reduce the frequency and severity of future derailments; improve long-term health monitoring and access to health services; and reduce or eliminate toxic chemicals, including petrochemicals, from the U.S. economy.
The Biden administration must take a tougher stance on soot pollution
Sarah Millender, Auburn Bell, and Jill Rosenthal have published a new op-ed in The Hill urging the Biden administration to strengthen standards on soot pollution.
