AI Is Already Here. The Real Risk In Public Health Is Sitting It Out Americans are using AI even as they distrust it. For public health leaders, the bigger risk isn’t the technology—it’s failing to engage with it and shape how it’s used.

While public health professionals debate AI in broad, abstract terms, other sectors are already building it into how decisions are made and how information is delivered. https://bit.ly/4tULYRv

National Public Health Week promotional graphic reading, “Public health works when we support it.” Features photo of a a diverse group of smiling people.

Good health is no fluke — it results from years of coordination with government partners, public health workers, and communities like yours. See how the National Commission on Local Public Health Leadership is advancing this collaboration. #NPHW https://debeaumont.org/commission-local-public-health/

National Public Health Week promotional graphic reading, "Data drives lifesaving decisions." Photo below text shows two hands clasped at a desk with two laptops. Both laptop screens show a data analysis program.

Science built the foundation of public health. de Beaumont's initiatives like CityHealth, PH WINS, and MADE for Health Justice are part of that progress — turning scientific data into action for communities across the country. #NPHW

Graphic with text in a speech bubble reading, "What's one way that YOU contribute meaning to the public health field? Drop your thoughts in the comments!" Features de Beaumont logo and illustration of a speech bubble and text.

Quote by Shea Van Horn in a speech bubble reading, "I'm advancing public health by supporting communications that reflect community needs, build trust, and ensure people have relevant, culturally responsive information to guide decisions." Features de Beaumont logo and illustration of a guidepost with two arrows facing opposite directions.

Quote by Julia Haskins in a speech bubble reading, "Supporting public health in my everyday life involves weaving issues like workforce challenges and health equity into regular conversation. You never know how influential you can be just by engaging with other people." Features de Beaumont logo and illustration of two people talking with a joint speech bubble above them.

Quote by Sarah Bounse in a speech bubble reading, "I support public health by exploring and examining the current environment for racial and health equity efforts at the local level, developing recommendations to support that critical work." Features de Beaumont logo and illustration of two hands cupping a group of people.

Quote by Imani Lewis Glasspiegel in a speech bubble reading, "Public health doesn't just happen in clinics and boardrooms. It happens in social media feeds. I support public health by making sure our collective work meets people where they are." Features de Beaumont logo and illustration of a smartphone and hashtag icon.

Graphic with text in a speech bubble reading, "Happy National Public Health Week! Here are some ways our team makes meaning in public health every day." Features de Beaumont logo and illustration of a hand caressing a heart.

This National Public Health Week, we asked our colleagues how they make meaning in public health every day. Scroll to see what they said and tell us how you contribute to public health in your daily life. #NationalPublicHealthWeek

From Words to Action: Equipping the Public Health Workforce to Advance Health Equity Public health workers believe addressing racism is central to their mission, but few have the resources, support, or authority to make equity a core part of their jobs.

Public health professionals believe health department leaders should integrate equitable approaches into departmental policies and practices, improving outcomes for all. Find actionable strategies for your organization with this practical resource. https://bit.ly/4cQ4yVH

Check out our latest book, “Strategic Skills in Public Health Practice: Advancing Equity and Justice” and the bonus coloring book illustrating these concepts (published by @APHA Press + de Beaumont). https://bit.ly/4rqbcGm

All kids need summer activities to keep them engaged when school’s not in session. Through the Baltimore City Youth Data Hub, local partners are using their resources and data to ensure that young people in their communities have the best possible summers.

Stark differences in traffic safety across Pittsburgh run deep, but community power is fueling a more equitable future for residents of the Larimer neighborhood. See how neighbors are leading a data-driven transformation to make their streets safer for all.

Two sessions at #ASPPH2026 you won't want to miss!
🗓️ 3/19, 10:30a — Communicating Public Health in a Polarized Media Landscape
🗓️ 3/20, 9a — Preparing a Resilient Public Health Workforce.

Improve your messaging strategy with de Beaumont’s research-backed toolkit, “Communicating About Public Health with Policymakers.” https://bit.ly/3ZgeLD5

What 'The Pitt' Reveals About Weight Bias in Health Care A public health expert examines how 'The Pitt' portrays obesity with clinical dignity—and what real-world medicine often misses about weight bias and patient safety.

What The Pitt gets right about obesity: It treats a patient’s symptoms as urgent medical problems—not moral failures. Real-world medicine doesn’t always meet that standard. www.forbes.com/sites/briancastrucci/202...

Members of Tucson's urban Indigenous community are reclaiming their data as part of the Promoting Indigenous Models of Assessment (PIMA) coalition. See how its members are uplifting traditional data and Native perspectives to improve health equity and job opportunity.

A quote on grant applications emphasizes intentional design, time allocation, and support to ensure fair and impactful grantmaking focused on community needs. Logos featured: RWJF, AcademyHealth, and de Beaumont.

In public health practice, even processes like grant applications must be grounded in equity. Learn how @academyhealth.bsky.social and a partnership between @rwjf.org and de Beaumont approached each step of their applications with intention and regard for equity. https://bit.ly/4rDkDDl

Public Health Review Morning Edition banner featuring podcast guests Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge and Brian Castrucci.

Public health touches every community, yet its impact often goes unseen.

On PHRME, Kimberly Wyche Etheridge (ASTHO) & @brianccastrucci.bsky.social (@debeaumontfndtn.bsky.social) discuss building the workforce pipeline & clear messaging to strengthen trust & impact.

🎧: discover.astho.org/4cb5Uu3.

Through Modernized Anti-racist Data Ecosystems (MADE) for Health Justice, communities are working with local partners to use data on their terms, advancing health equity and just decision making. See how these teams are making a difference in their communities.

Communicating in ways that resonate with policymakers is essential to advancing public health priorities. 💬

For @nacchoalerts.bsky.social, de Beaumont Communications Director Nalini Padmanabhan shares tips for talking to policymakers from our new research-backed toolkit. 🧰 https://bit.ly/4kD5EpD

Social media's impact on kids' health and well-being is an important public health concern, but banning youth from these platforms isn't the answer, says @brianccastrucci.bsky.social on @whyy.org's Studio 2 talk show. 🤳 https://bit.ly/4twSM8A

Community Data Is Trusted Evidence (SSIR) Why our overreliance on dominant data is failing communities and how community data provides a solution.

Data generated by communities is rich in stories, perspectives, and information. Read how the Coalition of Communities of Color is growing a "digital community garden" that reflects people's lived experiences and promotes health equity. https://bit.ly/46rpU7O

Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab banner featuring Shirley Orr and Maddy Popalis.

ASTHO’s Public Health Nursing Learning Lab Series resumes on Feb. 18! Join Shirley Orr (APHN) and Maddy Popalis (@debeaumontfndtn.bsky.social) to learn how #PHWINS can support the public health nursing workforce.

To register: discover.astho.org/4bz4NnD.

@phaboard.bsky.social

If we want to protect kids online, we can’t pretend digital life can be delayed. Instead of banning social media, we need to help young people build skills, judgment, healthy habits, @brianccastrucci.bsky.social says.

Infographic reading, "Student loan debt is a major burden on the public health workforce."

New research finds that over 40% of government public health workers carry student loan debt totaling $4.5B+. The study raises concerns about workforce sustainability and highlights actionable solutions to help close the affordability gap. https://bit.ly/45m7hlq

Promotional graphic for "Media Relations Capacity Building for Public Health Communicators," featuring an image of a woman wearing headphones sitting at a desk and typing on a laptop.

New from the Public Health Communications Collaborative Academy, the Media Relations Capacity Building for Public Health Communicators training will help you build the skills and confidence to work proactively with the media.

Sign up now: https://bit.ly/4t7GZNO

Confusion swells as Trump administration abruptly halts public health funding to cities and states, then reverses course | CNN As public health departments across the country prepared for a massive winter storm this weekend, notice landed in their inboxes that pivotal grant funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and ...

Although HHS quickly reversed its decision last weekend to pause $5 billion in CDC's Public Health Infrastructure Grants, the move reflects ongoing funding pitfalls that threaten national health and security, @brianccastrucci.bsky.social told @cnn.com https://cnn.it/4pXThpr

Remembering Dr. William H. Foege de Beaumont mourns the passing of Dr. William H. Foege, a public health leader whose work shaped modern disease prevention.

de Beaumont mourns the passing of Dr. William H. Foege, a public health leader whose work shaped modern disease prevention. We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Foege’s family, colleagues, and all who worked alongside him. debeaumont.org/news/2026/remembering-dr...