Shortchanged: The Impact of Chronic Underinvestment in Public Health

Policymakers are asking: With the United States spending far more on healthcare compared to other high-income nations, why does our nation still yield substantially worse health outcomes and what funding and policy actions must we take to see better results?

To shed light on that important question, Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Coalition for Health Funding (CHF) are gathering experts in public health policy and funding on June 20th to discuss the critical need for increased, sustainable, and flexible funding that specifically targets public health and prevention. The discussion will focus on how to address the longstanding gaps in public health capacity resulting from chronic underfunding.

Resources:

• Chronic Underfunding of the Public Health System Fact Sheets
• Health Action Alliance
• The Impact of Chronic Underfunding on America’s Public Health System: Trends, Risks, and Recommendations, 2023
• Public Health Communications Collaborative
• Public Health Reaching Across Sectors
• Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs

Panelists

• Erin Will Morton, Executive Director, Coalition for Health Funding
  Erin Morton brings over 15 years of experience in global and domestic health policy, advocacy, and strategy development. Her work includes representing clients before Congress and the executive branch on issues including public health data, international medical research and development, clinical laboratory Medicare reimbursement, science policy, and health research funding.
  Bio
  
• Tekisha Dwan Everette, Ph.D., MPA, MPH, CPH, Executive Vice President, TFAH
  Tekisha Everette is TFAH’s Executive Vice President. In this role, she works in partnership with TFAH’s President and CEO to chart and implement the organization’s strategic direction and priorities, provides counsel on current and emerging policy issues, and engages with key organizations, policymakers, and other partners to advance policy priorities to improve public health and promote equity.
  Bio
• Krista R. Wasowski, MSW, MPH, Health Commissioner, Medina County (OH) Health Department
  Krista Wasowski has 20 years of public health management experience, serving currently as the Health Officer for Medina County, Ohio.
  Bio
  
• Brian Castrucci, DrPH, President & CEO, de Beaumont Foundation
  An award-winning epidemiologist with 10 years of experience working in the health departments of Philadelphia, Texas, and Georgia, Brian brings a unique perspective to the philanthropic sector that allows him to shape and implement visionary and practical initiatives and partnerships and bring together research and practice to improve public health.
  Bio