Safeguarding Public Health, Collaboration, Equity, and Justice

January 22, 2025

The role of public health is to protect and improve everyone’s health, across our communities. For centuries, science and evidence have advanced this essential field. Public health and environmental protections are crucial for everyone in the United States. We are committed to safeguarding the progress and health of our communities, and protecting our fellow public health workers that have invested their careers in advancing justice, equity, and health. We are resolute in our values and need to respond when we see actions moving us backwards, as these new executive orders do.

Across our nation and the global community, public health practitioners work to prevent hazards and the spread of disease. We respond to public health emergencies, support communities with the resources they need to thrive, and address the increasing impacts of climate change on our collective health. Across all intersections of our work, we continue to confront the health disparities that persist in our communities due to the enduring impacts of racism and structural inequities. Public and environmental health should not discriminate by race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, economic privilege, or political ideologies. As a field committed to progress, we cannot afford to take a step back. 

We do this work so that all people and all communities have the opportunity to be healthy and live in a healthy environment. Compassion and human kindness must reach across differences.

In the last 48 hours, we have witnessed a number of executive orders that undermine Trailhead’s drivers of collaboration, justice, and building the capacity of communities. Collectively, we oppose: 

  • Withdrawal from the World Health Organization. This lack of collaboration and global partnership at the federal level jeopardizes our national security, undermines the nation’s standing as a global health leader, and leaves us less prepared to respond to future health emergencies. We must continue to invest in our public health system – locally, nationally, and abroad – if we hope to build a healthier world for future generations.

    Learn about why investing in the World Health Organization is important.

  • Cutting Federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs: The public health field must reflect the communities we serve. Our diversity is our greatest asset, and when we invest in creating workplaces that prioritize diversity, inclusion, and belonging, we are more innovative, better able to respond to community needs, and support the well-being of our peers.

    Read about the widespread implications of belonging and the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in public health.

  • Dismantling Protections for Transgender People: We fundamentally oppose the harmful orders to ignore, dismiss, and erase any individual’s identity, statehood, presence, or wellbeing. Trans rights are inalienable human rights and cannot be taken away. Individuals currently protected under the constitution (including everyone protected under the Fourteenth Amendment) must remain protected.

    Read what’s at stake for transgender people and their families.

  • Reversing U.S. Climate Policy: Now more than ever, we must remain committed to preserving our environment. We oppose the reversal of positions and policies that have worked to maintain a sustainable environment.

    Explore how governments, companies, organizations, and individuals can be a part of climate solutions.

  • The Dehumanization and Militarization of Immigration: The United States is prosperous, innovative, and stronger due to immigration. We support humane and progressive systems that value and support new immigrants, and we oppose divisive, fear-based, racist, and reactionary policies.

    Here are key protections and laws that every Coloradan should know.

At Trailhead, we continue our work as a strategic partner for building coordinated, community-informed solutions to public health needs across Colorado. We are committed to using our knowledge and relationships across the public health system to bring awareness to the impacts that these policies are likely to have on our field and communities. 

Struggles for rights and equity in the U.S. are not new. In honor of those who came before and those who continue to strive for justice, we dedicate our power, privilege, and resources to truly serve all Coloradans, both now and in the years to come.