Big Cities Health Coalition

12/15/2025

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department is rethinking what violence prevention can look like.

In its first year, the Y Chat text line has helped more than 120 young people, and the program has evolved to address the related needs that youth bring up, such as mental health and housing, not just violence alone.

That kind of growth reflects a deeper understanding of what keeps communities safe: trust, access, and support that responds to real life. It’s a strong example of public health adapting to what communities actually need.

Learn more at the link in the comments.

12/12/2025

New for 2026: registration for NACCHO's 2026 Preparedness Summit is open for both in-person and virtual attendees!

Register by Dec. 31 to take advantage of early-bird rate – link is in the comments.

The summit takes place April 13–16 in Baltimore. See you there!

12/08/2025

We’re proud to announce the launch of CitiesLEAD, a new, national network backed by funding from RWJFoundation, rooted in groundbreaking work by the Boston Public Health Commission, and in partnership with our members and Virginia Commonwealth University's Center on Society and Health.

CitiesLEAD will help cities turn life-expectancy data into real, actionable equity strategies. The project will bring participating cities technical assistance, peer-learning opportunities, and tools to help track and reduce life-expectancy gaps driven by structural inequities.

Since lifespan can vary by decades across ZIP codes, this is more than data; it’s a roadmap for justice, opportunity, and health for everyone.

Get more information at the link in the comments.

12/03/2025

With federal vaccine policy poised to shift in a dangerous direction later this week, our members are speaking out with clear urgency and purpose.

On our media briefing yesterday, the lead health officials from Chicago, Dallas Co., and Mecklenburg Co. (Charlotte, NC, area) underscored that vaccines are a core element of community health and prevention.

They reminded us that policies under consideration by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices later this week could weaken protections for newborns and families, undoing decades of progress against preventable diseases.

And more than ever, they stressed, local health departments need stable support to deliver care, build trust, and respond to community needs.

We share their call for evidence-driven policy, transparent communication, and investment in the public health infrastructure that keeps us all safe.

Learn more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2025/12/03/rfk-jr-vaccine-panel-hepatitis-b/87572661007/

Chicago Department of Public Health Dallas County Health and Human Services Mecklenburg County Government

11/24/2025

We could all use a dopamine boost this week. How about some truly inspiring stories from your friends in big city public health?

Despite all the serious challenges thrown at them this year, they have continued to do incredible, life-saving work. They need our support now more than ever.

💡 How has Chicago brought down overdose deaths by 37%?
💡 How has Columbus improved grades and lowered disciplinary referrals in three city high schools?
💡 What does a work day like for a NYC food inspector?
💡 Why does it matter so much that Detroit has provided more than 10,000 free rides to pregnant people and caregivers?

Get the answers to these questions and find many more public health success stories at the link in the comments.

11/21/2025

Families deserve health support rooted in facts, not outdated claims.

We joined public health, autism, and medical leaders in urging a renewed focus on the real needs of children with autism – and on maintaining trust in routine childhood vaccines.

See the full statement at the link in the comments.

11/19/2025

In a new editorial, Dr. Claude Jacob, who leads the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, highlights why investing in our workforce and engaging communities are the keys to resilience for public health.

📗 https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002232

11/18/2025

Investments in public health infrastructure are making a difference!

Big city health departments report improved recruitment, retention, and job satisfaction.

Learn more in our new article with the de Beaumont Foundation - link is in the comments.

11/11/2025

If you didn't get to attend this insightful session at APHA, here's your chance to get a reprise!

Federal priorities, funding structures, and new technologies are reshaping the public health landscape. Leaders across the field are exploring how to adapt — and how to strengthen public health infrastructure for the future.

ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Susan Kansagra will join Lori Freeman [National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)] and Chrissie Juliano (Big Cities Health Coalition) for the next Rollins School of Public Health HPM Scholars Policy & Practice Forum on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 12–1 p.m. ET.

Moderated by Karen Hacker, the conversation will explore how agencies are navigating shifts in funding, workforce capacity, Medicaid, and technology — including AI — and developing strategies for a more resilient public health system.

🔗 Register to join the virtual event: https://discover.astho.org/4oI06LR.

10/24/2025

In the fight against the ongoing overdose crisis, the Chicago Department of Public Health is showing what’s possible. The city cut overdose deaths by a whopping 37% since the peak.

Key moves:
• using high-tech drug-checking tools to detect new synthetic threats
• offering free naloxone and test strips (and education on how to use them) in libraries and other community venues
• using ambulance data and other surveillance to target resources where they’re needed most

When local health departments have strong systems + smart partnerships + data in hand, they can turn the tide. Let’s keep building this model.

Learn more about how they did it at the link in the comments.

10/21/2025

The Big Cities Health Coalition is the latest group to take a strong public stand in support of vaccination as a direct response to concerns that the federal government is limiting access and raising doubts.

10/21/2025

Our country’s public health system is undergoing major change, and local and state health departments are feeling the impact.

In a new article in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, our executive director, Chrissie Juliano, joins Karen Hacker, Susan Kansagra, and Lori Freeman to explore how the field can adapt and thrive amid funding cuts, agency reorganizations, and shifting priorities.

Read “Where Do We Go From Here? The Way Forward for State and Local Public Health” (open access): https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/fulltext/2025/11000/where_do_we_go_from_here__the_way_forward_for.26.aspx

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