What is this document and why did NACCHO publish it?

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) released Public Health is Local: NACCHO’s Recommendations for the Next President & 119th U.S. Congress on improving public health in the United States. The incoming Presidential Administration and 119th Congress have a unique opportunity to strengthen the public health system, improving the health and well-being of Americans for generations. NACCHO’s recommendations are designed to provide federal policymakers with public health priorities and clear actions that, if taken, will improve the nation’s health and resiliency.

These recommendations introduce NACCHO and local public health to a new Administration and other elected officials. It answers the following questions:

• Who does NACCHO represent?
• What is local public health and why should the Administration and policymakers prioritize it?
• What does NACCHO recommend a new Administration & Congress consider when developing their policy priorities?

These recommendations raise awareness of local public health issues to new staff in the White House and on the Hill. They also provide a framework for talking to candidates at all levels about how and why, if elected, they can support local health departments.

These recommendations are based on NACCHO’s Board-approved Legislative and Policy Agenda, as well as Policy Statements developed by NACCHO members.

How is NACCHO using this document?

• Introduce public health as a policy priority early in national dialogue
• Build relationships with campaign staff (future White House staff)
• Generate media coverage in publications focused on policymakers & staff
• Strategic messaging & raising visibility
• An additional resource for NACCHO members for federal talking points

What recommendations are included in this document?

• Strengthen and modernize the governmental public health system by improving the public health workforce, infrastructure, and data modernization
• Improve health for all Americans through investments in prevention and upstream interventions
• Maintain innovations and prepare for future public health emergencies
• Ensure local public health expertise informs federal priorities

How can I use this document?

Promote on social media. Sample language:

1. X (formerly known as Twitter):@NACCHOalerts is dedicated to serving the over 3,300 local health departments across the country. These recommendations provide the next President clear actions that, if taken, will improve the nation’s health. https://bit.ly/3BRa89X #PublicHealthisLocal
2. LinkedIn: NACCHO is the only organization dedicated to serving the over 3,300 local health departments across the country. NACCHO’s recommendations for the next President and the 119th U.S. Congress are designed to provide federal policymakers with clear actions that, if taken, will improve the nation’s health by strengthening local health departments and our governmental public health system. The incoming Presidential Administration has a unique opportunity to strengthen the public health system and improve the health and wellbeing of all Americans. https://bit.ly/3BRa89X #PublicHealthisLocal

Share with your federal elected officials. Sample email language:

Dear {Title, Name},

I am reaching out to share the National Association of County and City Health Officials’ (NACCHO) recommendations for the next Administration & the 119th Congress. NACCHO is the only organization dedicated to serving the over 3,300 local health departments across the country. NACCHO’s four overarching goals with respect to national public health policy are to:

• Strengthen and modernize the governmental public health system by improving the public health workforce, infrastructure, and data modernization
• Improve health for all Americans through investments in prevention and upstream interventions
• Maintain innovations and prepare for future public health emergencies
• Ensure local public health expertise informs federal priorities

As a local health {official/worker}, I support these recommendations and encourage you to work with my local health department and NACCHO to act on these recommendations. If you have questions about local public health in our community, please consider us a resource.

Sincerely,

{name}