Big Cities Health Coalition

04/08/2026

ACTION. Big city public health departments study what works best to protect our health and who needs those solutions most – and then take action in ways that benefit us all.

For a great example of this, dive into the intriguing story of what happened when the City of Milwaukee Health Department learned that children were being exposed to lead in their schools.

Learn more at the link in the comments.

American Public Health Association

04/08/2026

SET. Public health works best when communities, organizations and leaders come together to support health for all. We’re set to keep building a healthier future together.

In our newest project, CitiesLEAD, we are collaborating with Boston Public Health Commission and Virginia Commonwealth University (with support from RWJFoundation) to help large U.S. cities access appropriate life expectancy data AND transform those data into action, making more equitable health outcomes available to all residents.

Learn more at the link in the comments.

And watch for other as we "flood the feed" with the American Public Health Association!

04/08/2026

READY. Strong policies help our communities stay healthy. They do this by creating conditions that make it easier for all of us to stay well. To***co policies, for example, keep to***co sellers away from elementary schools and limit where people can smoke or v**e.

Check out the many ways that big city health departments have helped put local policies in place that literally help their residents breathe easier (link in comments).

04/01/2026

On this ***co National Day of Action, learn how big city health departments are using smart policies to safeguard our health.

Big cities saw major to***co policy wins in 2025. Strong local policies remain one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking and prevent youth from starting.

03/30/2026

If you're one of the many local leaders across the U.S. charged with stewarding dollars, be sure to check out the resource page we built with Prevention Institute. It's a one-stop shop for guidance on how to spend these funds effectively.

03/17/2026

Policy change is one of public health’s most powerful tools.

Our latest blog highlights 2025 to***co policy wins in big cities: from flavor bans to smoke-free stadiums and pricing policies that help keep to***co out of young people’s hands.

City of Minneapolis Health Department, Columbus Public Health, Cleveland Department of Public Health, Dallas County Health and Human Services, Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, Detroit Health Department

03/04/2026

A student poisoned by lead paint inside a Milwaukee elementary school triggered a district-wide public health response.

Environmental health inspectors worked weekends. The city lab turned around results within 24 hours. Students were relocated when necessary.

Ultimately, Milwaukee stabilized lead hazards in 99 elementary schools, clearing 2,700 classrooms.

All while the CDC’s childhood lead team had been eliminated during federal staffing cuts — and reinstated weeks later.

Our new blog highlights what City of Milwaukee Health Department's response shows about the importance of strong public health infrastructure.

Get the full story at the link in the comments.

02/12/2026

The following is a joint statement from seven of our member jurisdictions – Los Angeles County, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, Santa Clara County (CA), Alameda County (CA), and Long Beach (CA) – who learned this week that many of their multi-year grants that had already been awarded by the CDC have been canceled by Trump administration leadership.
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“We have received formal notification from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that it is rescinding hundreds of millions of dollars from our departments. We are once again left to wonder why the Administration so frequently targets critically important work that saves lives and protects people’s health. HHS should reverse this decision immediately.

“Canceling this funding makes it harder for our departments to prepare for and respond to natural disasters; prevent and manage disease outbreaks like measles; address HIV and other sexually transmitted infections; and reduce the burden of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The loss of Public Health Infrastructure Grants, which provide flexible funding directly to local health departments, is especially damaging. Those dollars help us hire staff, upgrade our technology, and respond quickly to local needs. Losing this funding is a major blow.

“All of these rescinded CDC funds were approved by Congress, and reiterated by additional appropriations passed and signed into law just last week, which reflects continued bipartisan support for critical public health programs and the workforce that carries them out. The Administration’s unilateral decision to pull these funds back will make America less healthy, less safe, and less secure.

“We have dedicated our careers to this work because we care deeply about the people and communities we represent. With sufficient funding and support from policymakers at all levels, we can accomplish so much together. We urge the Administration to treat public health as an ally, not an adversary.”
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Get the full statement – including details about how this funding has been protecting and promoting our communities' health – at the link in the comments.

02/12/2026

Nominate a public health hero today!

Know someone who has made a major accomplishment in health? Nominate them for one of our two upcoming awards:
- James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health
- The Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award

The James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health is intended for an individual who has made extraordinary progress in improving health. The $100,000 prize could be awarded to an educator, a scientist, a program inventor, a public figure, a private citizen or any other person who has done the greatest good for the greatest number.

The Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award, a $50,000 award, recognizes a distinguish leader who has made a significant contribution to health education or health promotion through program development or delivery, policy or research.

Intent to Nominate forms are encouraged, by not required, by February 15. Nominations are open until April 4.

Learn more: https://cdcf.link/3Ur5FkG

02/09/2026

Know someone who has made a major accomplishment in health? Nominate them for the CDC Foundation Fries Awards for Health:

🏆 James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health
🏆 Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award

Nominations open until April 4. Learn more:

Nominations for both the James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health and the Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award should be submitted through the online nomination form.

02/02/2026

Young people face unprecedented pressure: social media pressures, climate stress, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Big city health departments are responding in powerful, innovative ways.

A new BCHC guest post from Boston Public Health Commission highlights innovative adolescent health strategies from cities across the country. The post highlights how cities work with adolescents to support their mental health, prevent STIs, substance use, and violence, and much more.

Read the guest post (and download the full report) at the link in the comments.

01/29/2026

Looking for ways to expand relationships with media at your health department?

Our partners at the Public Health Communications Collaborative have just launched the latest addition to their PHCC Academy: "Media Relations: Capacity Building for Public Health."

This free, two-hour course equips public health communicators with the skills and confidence to work proactively with the media. Topics include crafting clear, compelling messages, navigating the 24/7 news cycle, and preparing subject matter experts for interviews.

Learn more and register at the link in the comments.