Big Cities Health Coalition

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

JPHMP Direct

10/20/2025

City health officials serving nearly 50 million people across the U.S. have come together around one message: Get vaccinated.

In a new joint statement, 24 members of the Big Cities Health Coalition urge Americans to protect themselves and their loved ones — and express concern that misinformation and recent federal decisions are making that harder.

Learn more at the link in the comments.

10/14/2025

Even in challenging times, public health continues to attract leaders who show what commitment and creativity look like.

We’re proud to celebrate five BCHC member staff named to de Beaumont Foundation’s 2025 in Public Health:

⭐ Tala Mansi & Rishi Sood – NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
⭐ John Sunil Kaleekal – SF Public Health
⭐ Rachel Gunsalus – Public Health - Seattle & King Countyunty
⭐ Mervin Dino – Chicago Department of Public Health

Their work – spanning data innovation, community partnerships, and health equity – shows how local public health keeps our communities safe and thriving.

Congratulations to all 40 honorees! Learn more about them:
🔗 https://debeaumont.org/news/2025/40-under-40-2025/

10/10/2025

09/23/2025

How will cuts to funding and workforce at public health agencies within the federal government affect your communities’ health and emergency preparedness?

A new report from Trust for America's Health breaks down the full impact budget and staff reductions and agency reorganizations will have on mental health services, infectious and chronic disease programs, and emergency and disaster readiness across the country.

📗 Get the full report: https://www.tfah.org/report-details/funding-report-2025

09/11/2025

Webinar recording now available!

What do city residents really think about overdose, and what persuades them to support a public health response?

In our Sept. 10 webinar, “Strengthening Support for Overdose Prevention,” we shared new polling findings and message testing from 35 U.S. cities.

You’ll hear from the Big Cities Health Coalition and Vital Strategies about what messages work and how to move people from soft support to strong endorsement of proven prevention tools.

🎥 Watch now: https://youtu.be/ZQ9lrGuyo6o

📘 Get the messaging playbook: https://www.bigcitieshealth.org/overdose-prevention-messaging-2025/

In this playbook, learn about city residents’ support for a public health response to overdose – including which strategies, words, and images help to further strengthen that support.

09/03/2025

Overdose. Homelessness. Public disorder.

What do city residents really think about these issues, and what persuades them to support public health solutions?

Join us next week on Sept. 10 at 2pm ET for a webinar exploring new polling from 35 major U.S. cities. We’ll break down what messages resonate most with the public, what objections carry weight, and how to strengthen support for overdose prevention tools like naloxone, overdose prevention centers, and vending machines that distribute lifesaving supplies.

Register now at the link in the comments!

09/02/2025

Public health labs are the unsung heroes of outbreak response.

This Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month, we recognize the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's lab teams. When Legionnaires’ disease struck Harlem this summer, their work tracing the outbreak to its source helped contain it and keep New Yorkers safe.

Across the country, public health labs do this every day—detecting threats, guiding responses, and protecting communities. Their expertise deserves recognition and sustained investment.

08/20/2025

MESSAGING RESEARCH RELEASE: Support for public health approaches to overdose prevention is strong – and it could be stronger.

Our newest playbook delivers original polling research and message testing so you have the evidence-based strategies you need to solidify support for the public health solutions to overdose that we already know work.

Get the full playbook at the link in the comments.

Huge thanks to our partners at Vital Strategies for their support for this project and Hart Research for their expert polling design and interpretation.

08/15/2025

We want our friends and colleagues at CDC to know unequivocally the strength and breadth of support that's behind them.

Along with many of our partner public health organizations – led by Trust for America's Health – we crafted the following public response:
________

In response to the horrific shooting that occurred on Friday, August 8, targeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health community stands in solidarity with our CDC colleagues. We denounce acts of harassment, terror, and violence against the public health workforce.

Our hearts break for the family of police officer David Rose who lost his life protecting his community.

Two hundred bullets struck and caused damage to six federal buildings and over 500 rounds were fired at the CDC campus. We are saddened, alarmed, and deeply concerned about the health and safety of our colleagues. The shooting was an attack on an American workplace and on the people and infrastructure that keep us all healthy and safe.

We are committed to working together to support our nation’s dedicated public servants who comprise the public health workforce and call on others to do the same. It is critical to the health of all communities that CDC and all people working in public health across the country are able to continue to make their invaluable contributions to advancing health and well-being without the fear of harassment or violence.

People choosing public health as a profession are committed to advancing our nation’s health and recognize that good health in every community benefits everyone. It is our hope that all Americans will stand with us to support the vital role that CDC and the entire public health workforce play in supporting safety and well-being in every community. Their expertise and commitment to advancing health deserves all Americans’ unwavering support.

Signed,
American Public Health Association
Association of of Maternal & Child Health Programs
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Association of Public Health Nurses
Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors
Association of State and Territorial Hel of State and Territorial Health Officials
Association of State and Territorial Public Health Social Workers
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)
Big Cities Health Coalition
CDC Foundation
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
de Beaumont Foundation
The Kresge FoundationNational Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD)
NACCHO
National Network of Public Health Institutes
Prevention Institute
Public Health Accreditation Board
Safe States Alliance
Trust for America's Health