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Press Release on health-related topics.

La tasa de mortalidad inducida por alcohol, drogas y suicidio de los Estados Unidos ha aumentado un 11 por ciento durante el 2021

(Washington, DC – 24 de mayo del 2023) – Las muertes asociadas por el alcohol, las drogas y el suicidio cobraron la vida de 209.225 estadounidenses en el 2021, elevando la tasa de mortalidad al 11 por ciento, con respecto al año anterior, según el nuevo informe Pain in the Nación 2023 sobre Epidemias de Muertes por Alcohol, Drogas y Suicidio, publicado el día de hoy por Trust for America’s Health (TFAH, por sus siglas en ingles).

Durante este último año, se ha registrado el récord más alto en la historia con 209.225 americanos que han perdido la vida por abuso de sustancias de alcohol, drogas y suicidios. Esta tendencia de muerte ha ido incrementando bruscamente en los EE. UU.  La data del 2021 demuestra que las muertes por estas causas han aumentado a través de toda la población del país, pero mayormente se observó un incremento en las comunidades de color y en las personas que viven en el sur, el oeste y las regiones rurales del país.

  • Se observó que las muertes por sobredosis de drogas incrementaron un 14 por ciento entre el 2020 y el 2021, con grandes aumentos entre los nativos de Hawái, las islas del Pacífico, los indios americanos/nativos de Alaska y entre los jóvenes y adultos mayores. Durante el año, se observó que la tasas por sobredosis de drogas fue mayor entre los adultos de 35 a 54 años, hombres, personas de raza negra y adultos jóvenes entre los 18 a 34 años.
  • Las muertes inducidas por alcohol aumentaron un 10 por ciento entre el 2020 y el 2021. El incremento más elevado, se encuentra entre los nativos de Hawái, las islas del Pacífico, los latinos y los indios americanos/nativos de Alaska.
  • La mortalidad por suicidio aumentó un 4 por ciento entre el 2020 y el 2021. El mayor aumento, se registra entre los indios americanos/nativos de Alaska y los negros.

Aunque las tendencias del 2021 no fueron muy buenas noticias, se lograron mejores resultados con respecto a las tendencias del 2020, ya que para el 2020, la cantidad de muertes por alcohol, drogas y suicidio aumentó un 20 por ciento en comparación con el 2019.

“Los datos de mortalidad por abuso de sustancias y suicidio continúan demostrando cifras y aumentos alarmantes “, dijo J. Nadine Gracia, M.D., MSCE, presidenta y directora ejecutiva de Trust for America’s Health. “Lo que se requiere es una inversión con carácter de urgencia con políticas sostenibles, programas que ayuden a prevenir el uso y abuso de sustancias y la tendencia al suicidio tras ciertas experiencias de vida. Necesitamos invertir en programas que prevengan experiencias adversas y traumáticas durante la niñez, promoviendo servicios de salud mental en las escuelas para brindar apoyo, creando entornos de atención médica para toda la población”.

Resumen de dos décadas
Las muertes por alcohol, drogas y suicidio han ido en aumento durante más de dos décadas y se han duplicado durante este período con 104.379 muertes de este tipo en el 2011, en comparación con 209.225 en el 2021. Entre el 2016 y el 2021, el aumento en la tasa de muertes por sobredosis de drogas fue más del 60 por ciento. Estos aumentos afectaron desproporcionadamente a las comunidades negras y poblaciones latinas.

La mayoría del aumento de muertes por sobredosis de drogas, se debían por sobredosis de opiáceos, además de registrarse muertes por cocaína y psicoestimulantes. además, se halló que la xilazina, representa una nueva amenaza, ya que es un tranquilizante aprobado para uso veterinario, que se mezcla con fentanilo para crear una droga callejera altamente tóxica.

Durante las últimas dos décadas, las muertes por alcohol y suicidio también han aumentado, pero no tanto como las muertes por drogas.

Riesgo de suicidio juvenil
Durante la última década, las muertes por alcohol, drogas y suicidio entre jóvenes de 10 a 17 años han aumentado un 40 por ciento. Si bien los jóvenes tenían una tasa de suicidio mucho menor que la población en general, la tendencia al alza del suicidio juvenil comenzó antes de la pandemia de COVID-19 (incrementándose al 71 por ciento, entre el 2010 al 2021) Esto demuestra ser un hecho bastante alarmante, el cual requiere atención inmediata. A diferencia de otros grupos de edad, los jóvenes registran el mayor aumento de mortalidad por causa de suicidio, en comparación con el aumento que tuvieron otros grupos de edad.

Los jóvenes indios americanos/nativos de Alaska y LGBTQ son los que representan mayor riesgo de tener poca salud mental y de presentar conductas suicidas.

Riesgo de suicidio de veteranos
Otra Data presentó que la tasa de mortalidad por suicidio de los veteranos requiere atención inmediata, demostrando 32 muertes por cada 100.000 veteranos en el 2020, siendo ésta la tasa más alta en comparación con la de la población general.


Programas basados ​​en evidencia pueden ayudar a revertir las tendencias de muertes por desesperación

En respuesta a la creciente crisis de muertes por desesperación, se necesita un enfoque multifacético para mejorar la salud mental y el bienestar en cada comunidad. El informe incluye recomendaciones sobre los pasos que deben tomar los gobiernos a nivel federal, estatal, local, entre otras partes interesadas, para evitar el uso y el abuso de sustancias y de prevenir el suicidio. Las recomendaciones incluyen:

  • Invertir en programas de prevención y promover condiciones que promuevan la salud, este incluye programas que prevengan y reduzcan las experiencias adversas durante niñez, brindando servicios que informen sobre traumas, facilitando servicios de salud mental para estudiantes en las escuelas y programas de intervención de crisis, incluyendo la línea de crisis de vida 988.
  • Prevenir el uso indebido y la sobredosis de sustancias apoyando los programas de servicio de jeringas, aumentando la disponibilidad de tiras reactivas de naloxona y fentanilo, permitiendo más fondos para fomentar los Programas de Apoyo a Comunidades Libres de Drogas y reforzando los programas de prevención específicamente para los jóvenes.
  • Transformar el sistema de prevención de salud mental y el sistema de prevención de sustancias, incrementado el acceso a la atención médica para atender la salud mental y problemas por el uso de sustancias, a través de la Ley de Equidad en Adicción y Paridad, integrando la asistencia de salud mental con centros de tratamientos de abuso de substancias creando un cuidado cultural y lingüísticamente adecuado, para proporcionar el cuidado apropiado para las poblaciones de color y otras poblaciones desatendidas.

 

Encuentre el informe completo en: Pain in the Nación 2023 sobre Epidemias de Muertes por Alcohol, Drogas y Suicidio

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Trust for America’s Health es una organización no partidista y sin fines de lucro que promueve la salud óptima para cada persona y comunidad y hace de la prevención de enfermedades y lesiones una prioridad nacional. www.tfah.org

U.S. Death Rate Due to Alcohol, Drugs, and Suicide Increased by 11 Percent in 2021

Increases occurred among all ages, races, and geographic groups, but were particularly high for youth suicides and overdoses among certain populations of color

(Washington, DC – May 24, 2023) – The rate of U.S. deaths due to alcohol, drugs, and suicide climbed 11 percent in 2021, according to Pain in the Nation 2023: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths, a new report released today by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH).

While an all-time record, 209,225 Americans lost their lives due to alcohol, drugs or suicide last year these deaths are part of a two-decade trend of sharply increasing fatalities due to substance misuse and suicide in the U.S. The 2021 data showed such deaths were up across the U.S. population, with the largest increases occurring among certain populations of color as well as people living in the South, West, and rural regions of the country.

  • Drug overdose deaths increased by 14 percent between 2020 and 2021, with larger increases among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, American Indian/Alaska Native people, and among youth and older adults. For the year, drug overdose rates were highest among adults ages 35 to 54, males, Black people, and young adults ages 18 to 34.
  • Alcohol-induced deaths increased by 10 percent between 2020 and 2021, with the highest increases among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Latino people, and American Indian/Alaska Native people.
  • Suicide mortality increased by 4 percent between 2020 and 2021, with the highest increases among American Indian/Alaska Native people and Black people.

While the 2021 trends were not good news, they were an improvement over the 2020 data. For 2020, the number of alcohol, drug, and suicide deaths was up 20 percent as compared with 2019.

“The data continue to show alarming increases in deaths due to substance misuse and suicide,” said J. Nadine Gracia, M.D., MSCE, President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health. “What is needed is urgent and sustained investment in policies and programs that prevent the root causes of substance misuse and suicidality. We need to prevent adverse childhood experiences and trauma and support mental health services in schools, within healthcare settings, and in community settings for all populations.”

Two Decades Overview
Deaths due to alcohol, drugs, and suicide have been on the rise for over two decades, doubling over the period from 104,379 deaths in 2011 to 209,225 in 2021.  Between 2016 and 2021, the escalation in the rate of drug overdose deaths was more than 60 percent. These increases disproportionately impacted Black and Latino populations.

Most of the upturn in deaths due to drug overdose involved opioid overdose, with additional deaths due to cocaine and psychostimulants. In addition, a new and growing threat is xylazine, a tranquilizer approved for veterinary use but mixed with fentanyl to create a highly toxic illicit drug combination.

During the last two decades alcohol and suicide deaths have also increased, but not as sharply as drug deaths.

Youth Suicide Risk
Over the last decade, alcohol, drug, and suicide deaths among youth ages 10 to 17 increased by 65 percent. While youth have a much lower suicide rate than the general population, the upward trend of youth suicide, beginning well before the COVID-19 pandemic—a 71 percent increase tween 2010 and 2021—is tragic and warrants immediate attention. Unlike for other age groups, an increase in suicide deaths among young people was the primary driver for the age group’s increased overall mortality.

American Indian/Alaska Native and LGBTQ youth are most at risk for poor mental health and suicidal behaviors.

Veteran Suicide Risk
Veteran suicide risk also needs immediate attention.  The suicide mortality rate for veterans was 32 deaths per 100,000 veterans in 2020, a much higher rate than the general population.

Evidence-based Programs Can Help Reverse Deaths of Despair Trends

In response to the growing deaths of despair crisis, a multifaceted approach to improving mental health and well-being in every community is needed. The report includes recommendations for steps federal, state, and local government and other stakeholders should take to address substance misuse and suicide deaths. The recommendations include:

  • Invest in prevention programs and conditions that promote health including programs that prevent or reduce adverse childhood experiences and provide trauma-informed services, student mental health services in schools, and strengthened crisis intervention programs, including the 988 crisis lifeline.
  • Prevent substance misuse and overdose by supporting syringe service programs, increasing naloxone and fentanyl test strips availability, and expanding funding for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program to bolster prevention programs for youth specifically.
  • Transform the mental health and substance use prevention system by increasing access to mental health and substance use healthcare through full enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, integrating mental health and substance use treatment with other healthcare services, and expanding culturally and linguistically appropriate care for populations of color and other underserved populations.

Read the full report

 

Trust for America’s Health is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes optimal health for every person and community and makes the prevention of illness and injury a national priority. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TFAH Statement on the Braidwood Management v. Becerra Case

 

(Washington, DC – March 30, 2023) – Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) is deeply concerned about the recent ruling in the Braidwood Management v. Becerra case. This decision could restrict millions of Americans’ access to free preventive services that save lives and reduce healthcare costs. As a non-partisan public health policy, research, and advocacy organization dedicated to health promotion and disease prevention, we know the evidence shows that access to prevention is critical for the health and well-being of individuals and families. Coverage of preventive services without patient cost sharing means doctors detect cancers earlier. It means people get the help they need to quit smoking, families receive obesity prevention counseling, and health care providers can screen for behavioral health concerns like depression. Research shows that out-of-pocket costs are a barrier for people to receive life-saving preventive services, and they are an important tool for reducing health disparities. Our nation spends trillions of dollars on treating disease, but only a small fraction of those dollars are used to prevent people from getting sick in the first place. If this decision stands, it will be a step backward for the goal of achieving optimal health for every person and community.

 

 

 

Maine Gets High Marks for Public Health Emergency Preparedness

March 2023
Maine Public

A national report now ranks Maine in the top tier of states when it comes to being prepared for public health emergencies. The annual report from the nonpartisan Trust for America’s Health found Maine improved from last year’s rank in the mid-level tier and now joins 19 states at the top.

Spokesperson Rhea Farberman says Maine saw improvements in several areas between 2021 and 2022, including hospital safety, the percentage of residents vaccinated against the flu and the percentage of residents with access to paid time off, which increased from 50% to 59%.

Read the article.

New Report Measures States’ Emergency Preparedness and Makes Recommendations About How to Strengthen the Nation’s Public Health System

Sustained Investment in Public Health Infrastructure and Preparedness is Needed to Protect Lives During Disease Outbreaks and Natural Disasters

(Washington, DC – March 23, 2023) – As infectious disease outbreaks and extreme weather events threaten the health of more Americans, a new report shows the need for strengthened national and state public health emergency preparedness.

Ready or Not 2023: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism, released today by Trust for America’s Health, measures states’ readiness to respond to a spectrum of health emergencies and to provide ongoing public health services. The report gives federal and state health officials and policymakers actionable data and recommends policies to improve the nation’s emergency preparedness at a time when health emergencies are increasing. During 2022, the U.S. surpassed 1 million deaths due to COVID-19 and saw decreasing rates of routine vaccinations and increasing prevalence of health misinformation.  In addition, the past year was the eighth consecutive year the U.S. experienced 10 or more billion-dollar weather-related disasters.

The report tiers states and the District of Columbia into three performance levels for health emergency preparedness: high, middle, and low. This year’s report placed 19 states and DC in the high-performance tier, 16 states in the middle performance tier, and 15 states in the low performance tier.

High Tier – 19 states & DC

CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MS, NJ, NC, OH, PA, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI

Middle Tier – 16 states

AK, AL, AR, CA, IA, ID, IL, IN, MO, ND, NE, NH, NY, RI, SC, TX

Low Tier – 15 states

AZ, HI, KY, LA, MI, MN, MT, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TN, WV, WY

“Increased and sustained investment in public health infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and health equity will save lives,” said J. Nadine Gracia, M.D., MSCE, President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health. “Federal, state, and local officials as well as leaders in the healthcare and business sectors should use our findings to identify and address gaps in public health preparedness. Neglecting to do so will mean that the country will not be as prepared as it needs to be for the next public health emergency.”

The report’s findings showed both areas of strength within the nation’s public health system and areas that need attention.

Areas of strong performance include:

  • A majority of states have made preparations to expand healthcare and public health laboratory capacity in an emergency.
  • Most states are accredited in the areas of public health or emergency management. Some states are accredited in both.
  • Most U.S. residents who received their household water through a community water system had access to safe water. However recent water system failures in Jackson, Mississippi and Newark, New Jersey demonstrate the importance of continued attention to the integrity of municipal water systems.

Areas that need attention include:

  • Too few people were vaccinated against seasonal flu last year despite significant improvement in flu vaccination rates in recent years. During the 2021-2022 flu season, 51 percent of Americans ages 6 months or older received a flu vaccine, well short of the 70 percent goal established by Healthy People 2030.
  • Only half the U.S. population is served by a comprehensive public health system. Comprehensive public health systems ensure that necessary health services are available to all residents.
  • Only 26 percent of hospitals in states, on average, earned a top-quality patient safety grade in 2022. Hospital safety scores measure performance on such issues as healthcare-associated infection rates, intensive-care capacity, and an overall culture of error prevention.

The report contains recommendations for policy actions that would create a stronger public health system at all levels, including:

  • The Administration, Congress, and state lawmakers should modernize public health infrastructure, including by investing $4.5 billion annually to support foundational public health capabilities. In addition, Congress should continue to increase funding for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreement and public health data modernization to allow for earlier and more accurate detection of emerging health threats.
  • Policymakers at all levels should act to protect and strengthen public health authorities and should prioritize rebuilding trust in public health agencies and leaders.
  • Congress and state legislatures should invest in effective public health communications, including countering misinformation.
  • Congress and states should ensure first-dollar coverage for all recommended vaccines under commercial insurance and for uninsured people. States should minimize vaccine exemptions for school children, and healthcare facilities should increase rates of vaccination for healthcare workers.
  • Congress and states should provide job-protected paid leave for employees due to illness or family caregiving demands.
  • Congress and states should invest in policies and capacity to address the social determinants of health such as secure housing, access to transportation, and access to healthy food.
  • Congress should fund the entire medical countermeasures (MCM) enterprise, including the distribution and dispensing of MCMs. Congress should also create incentives for new products to prevent and fight antibiotic-resistant infections.
  • Congress and states should strengthen readiness for climate change, extreme weather, and environmental health threats.

Read the full report

Trust for America’s Health is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes optimal health for every person and community and makes the prevention of illness and injury a national priority. 

 

 

 

 

 

Nuevo informe mide la preparación para emergencias de los estados y hace recomendaciones sobre cómo fortalecer el sistema de salud pública de la nación

Se necesita una inversión sostenida en infraestructura de salud pública y preparación para proteger vidas durante brotes de enfermedades y desastres naturales

(Washington, DC – 23 de marzo de 2023) – A medida que los brotes de enfermedades infecciosas y los fenómenos meteorológicos extremos amenazan la salud de más estadounidenses, un nuevo informe muestra la necesidad de fortalecer la preparación para emergencias de salud pública a nivel nacional y estatal.

Ready or Not 2023: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism, informe publicado hoy por Trust for America’s Health, mide la preparación de los estados para responder a un espectro de emergencias de salud y brindar servicios de salud pública continuos. El informe brinda a los funcionarios de salud federales y estatales y a los formuladores de políticas datos procesables y recomienda políticas para mejorar la preparación para emergencias de la nación en un momento en que las emergencias de salud están aumentando. Durante el 2022, los Estados Unidos superó el millón de muertes debido al COVID-19 y experimentó tasas decrecientes de vacunas de rutina y una prevalencia creciente de información errónea sobre la salud. Además, el año pasado fue el octavo año consecutivo en que los Estados Unidos experimentó 10 o más desastres relacionados con el clima con un impacto de mil millones de dólares.

El informe clasifica a los estados y al Distrito de Columbia en tres niveles de desempeño para la preparación para emergencias de salud: alto, medio y bajo. El informe de este año colocó a 19 estados y DC en el nivel de alto rendimiento, 16 estados en el nivel de rendimiento medio y 15 estados en el nivel de bajo rendimiento.

Nivel alto: 19 estados y DC

CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MS, NJ, NC, OH, PA, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI

Nivel medio: 16 estados

Alaska, Alabama, AR, CA, IA, ID, IL, IN, MO, ND, NE, NH, NY, RI, SC, TX

Nivel bajo: 15 estados

AZ, HI, KY, LA, MI, MN, MT, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TN, WV, WY

“Una inversión mayor y sostenida en infraestructura de salud pública, preparación para emergencias y equidad en salud salvará vidas”, dijo J. Nadine Gracia, M.D., MSCE, presidenta y directora ejecutiva de Trust for America’s Health. “Los funcionarios federales, estatales y locales, así como los líderes de los sectores empresarial y de atención de la salud deben utilizar nuestros hallazgos para identificar y abordar las brechas en la preparación de la salud pública. No hacerlo significará que el país no estará tan preparado como debe estar para la próxima emergencia de salud pública”.

Las áreas de fuerte desempeño incluyen:

  • La mayoría de los estados han hecho preparativos para expandir la capacidad de los laboratorios de atención médica y salud pública en una emergencia.
  • La mayoría de los estados están acreditados en las áreas de salud pública o manejo de emergencias. Algunos estados están acreditados en ambos.
  • La mayoría de los residentes de EE. UU. que recibieron el agua de su hogar a través de un sistema de agua comunitario tenían acceso a agua segura. Sin embargo, las fallas recientes en el sistema de agua en Jackson, Mississippi y Newark, Nueva Jersey demuestran la importancia de prestar atención continua a la integridad de los sistemas de agua municipales.

Las áreas que necesitan atención incluyen:

  • Muy pocas personas se vacunaron contra la gripe estacional el año pasado a pesar de la mejora significativa en las tasas de vacunación contra la gripe en los últimos años. Durante la temporada de influenza 2021-2022, el 51 % de los estadounidenses de 6 meses o más recibieron una vacuna contra la influenza, muy por debajo de la meta del 70 % establecida por Healthy People 2030.
  • Solo la mitad de la población de los Estados Unidos cuenta con un sistema integral de salud pública. Los sistemas integrales de salud pública aseguran que los servicios de salud necesarios estén disponibles para todos los residentes.
  • Solo el 26 por ciento de los hospitales en los estados, en promedio, obtuvo una calificación de seguridad del paciente de máxima calidad en el 2022. Las puntuaciones de seguridad hospitalaria miden el desempeño en temas tales como las tasas de infecciones asociadas con la atención médica, la capacidad de cuidados intensivos y una cultura general de prevención de errores.

El informe contiene recomendaciones para acciones políticas que crearían un sistema de salud pública más sólido en todos los niveles, que incluyen:

  • La Administración, el Congreso y los legisladores estatales deben modernizar la infraestructura de salud pública, incluso mediante la inversión de $4500 millones anuales para respaldar las capacidades básicas de salud pública. Además, el Congreso debe continuar aumentando los fondos para el acuerdo cooperativo de preparación para emergencias de salud pública y la modernización de datos de salud pública para permitir una detección más temprana y precisa de amenazas emergentes para la salud.
  • Los formuladores de políticas en todos los niveles deben actuar para proteger y fortalecer a las autoridades de salud pública y deben priorizar la recuperación de la confianza en las agencias y líderes de salud pública.
  • El Congreso y las legislaturas estatales deben invertir en comunicaciones efectivas de salud pública, incluida la lucha contra la desinformación.
  • El Congreso y los estados deben garantizar la cobertura del primer dólar para todas las vacunas recomendadas bajo seguros comerciales y para personas sin seguro. Los estados deben minimizar las exenciones de vacunas para niños en edad escolar, y los centros de atención médica deben aumentar las tasas de vacunación para los trabajadores de la salud.
  • El Congreso y los estados deben otorgar licencias remuneradas con protección laboral a los empleados debido a enfermedades o demandas de cuidado familiar.
  • El Congreso y los estados deben invertir en políticas y capacidad para abordar los determinantes sociales de la salud, como vivienda segura, acceso al transporte y acceso a alimentos saludables.
  • El Congreso debe financiar toda la empresa de contramedidas médicas (MCM), incluida la distribución y dispensación de MCM. El Congreso también debería crear incentivos para nuevos productos para prevenir y combatir las infecciones resistentes a los antibióticos.
  • El Congreso y los estados deben fortalecer la preparación para el cambio climático, el clima extremo y las amenazas a la salud ambiental.

 

Lea el informe completo en:  Ready or Not 2023

 

Trust for America’s Health es una organización no partidista y sin fines de lucro que promueve la salud óptima para cada persona y comunidad y hace de la prevención de enfermedades y lesiones una prioridad nacional.

 

 

COVID-19 and Drug Overdose Deaths Drive U.S. Life Expectancy Down

(Washington, DC – January 17, 2023) — Data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in December 2022 showed that U.S. life expectancy decreased from 77 years in 2020 to 76.4 years in 2021, the second consecutive year that U.S. life expectancy decreased. The last time the U.S. experienced a two-year decrease in life expectancy was during World War II.

Age-specific death rates from 2020 to 2021 increased for all age groups other than infants less than one year old. American Indian and Alaska Native females experienced the largest increase in death rates, jumping 7.3 percent in 2021. Lower life expectancy for some populations groups, disproportionately among people of color, have been attributed to the structural inequities and barriers to optimal health that those communities experience.

Heart disease remained the leading cause of death in the U.S. during 2021 followed by cancer and COVID-19. In addition, drug overdose accounted for over a third of all unintentional deaths. During 2021, 106,699 people died in the U.S. due to a drug overdose, a 14 percent increase in the overdose death rate over 2020.

“These data underscore the importance of TFAH’s work to advance public health, prevention, and health equity,” said TFAH President and CEO J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the impact of social and economic conditions on people’s health and a community’s ability to be resilient during an emergency. TFAH will remain steadfast in advocating for policies that promote optimal health and well-being for every person and community. Among our priorities are supporting policies and programs that will strengthen the nation’s public health workforce and data systems; investment in substance misuse and suicide prevention including school-based mental health services and primary prevention programs; increased investments in chronic disease prevention programs including obesity prevention; and addressing the social determinants of health.”

Learn more about the causes of declining U.S. life expectancy in this TFAH issue brief: U.S. Experienced Steepest Two-year Decline in Life Expectancy in a Century – TFAH

For more on TFAH’s recommendations to improve the nation’s emergency preparedness: Ready or Not 2022: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism – TFAH

For more on TFAH’s recommendations on needed investments in the nation’s public health system: The Impact of Chronic Underfunding on America’s Public Health System: Trends, Risks, and Recommendations, 2022 – TFAH

For more on TFAH’s recommendations on addressing the nation’s drug, alcohol and suicide crisis: Pain in the Nation 2022: U.S. Experienced Highest Ever Combined Rates of Deaths Due to Alcohol, Drugs, and Suicide During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic – TFAH

For more on TFAH’s recommendations to address the nation’s obesity crisis: State of Obesity 2022: Better Policies for a Healthier America – TFAH

TFAH’s Board Chair and President and CEO, Statement in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the National Day of Racial Healing

(Washington, DC – January 16, 2023) – “Today’s observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and tomorrow’s National Day of Racial Healing are a time to take action to end racism, heal the impacts of centuries of racial injustice, and promote equity for all people.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, long-standing structural racism within our society causes a disproportionate negative impact on people of color, especially during public health emergencies.

TFAH’s goal is to secure the opportunity for optimal health for everyone and make all communities more resilient. This includes advancing policies that promote health and address the primary drivers of health disparities.

We are committed to continuing to support and advocate for policies that overcome the impacts of racism and advance health equity. Meaningful change will require racial healing, which will in turn necessitate acknowledging the historical and contemporary impacts of racism, building meaningful relationships across communities, and policy change.”

Among TFAH’s policy priorities for promoting health equity in 2023 are the following:

Invest in policies and capacity to address the social determinants of health: Congress should fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Determinants of Health work to enable communities to work across sectors to address the non-medical drivers of poor health outcomes.

Target the elimination of poverty by implementing living wage policies and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit at the national and state levels.

Strengthen leadership for health equity and incorporate lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic into future preparedness and response capabilities. The White House, Congress, and relevant federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies should continue to implement the recommendations of President Biden’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. The White House should create a permanent health equity infrastructure to implement and ensure accountability for these recommendations and bolster equity leadership and coordination for future health crises.

Provide job-protected paid leave. The pandemic called attention to the fact that paid family, sick, and medical leave protect individual’s and families’ economic security and are important infection-control measures. Congress should enact a permanent federal paid family and medical leave policy and dedicated paid sick days protections, including for preventive services such as vaccination.

Congress and federal agencies should ensure federal funding is reaching localities and organizations that represent and serve communities that encounter disproportionate barriers to good health.

Public health agencies should appoint chief health equity officers who would be part of the response, planning, and activation teams for all emergencies.

Increase access to high-quality healthcare for all by strengthening incentives to expand Medicaid and by making marketplace coverage more affordable for people with low- and moderate-incomes.

Increase funding for programs that promote long-term security and good health for children and families, including programs designed to expand access to affordable housing and Head Start, Early Head Start, and nutrition support programs such as Healthy School Meals for All, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

For more information, see TFAH reports: Reports – tfah

Trust for America’s Health is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes optimal health for every person and community and works to make the prevention of illness and injury a national priority. www.tfah.org

The National Day of Racial Healing, is sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. According to the Foundation, the day is a time to contemplate our shared values and create a blueprint for #HowWeHeal from the effects of racism. W.K. Kellogg Foundation (wkkf.org)

TFAH Announces Board Chair Transition

Distinguished Board Chair Dr. Gail C. Christopher to Step Down, Board Member Dr. Stephanie Mayfield Gibson elected Incoming Chair

(Washington, DC – December 19, 2022) — Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) announced today that the chairperson of its Board of Directors, Gail C. Christopher, DN, will be stepping down after 10 years of visionary leadership.  The Board of Directors has unanimously elected Board member Stephanie Mayfield Gibson, MD, as the incoming Board Chair, effective January 1, 2023.

Dr. Christopher has a noteworthy 15 years of service on the TFAH Board, becoming a member of the Board in 2007, and serving as chair for a decade.  She informed the Board of her intention to step down as chair at last year’s annual Board meeting, and the Board subsequently underwent a thoughtful succession planning process.  Dr. Mayfield, who joined the TFAH Board in 2017, and is currently a member of the Board’s Finance Committee, was nominated and elected as the next chair.

“Drs. Christopher and Mayfield are nationally renowned and visionary leaders in public health and health equity,” said TFAH’s President and CEO Dr. J. Nadine Gracia.  “TFAH is extremely fortunate to have benefited from Dr. Christopher’s brilliant leadership and will continue to be guided by Dr. Mayfield’s passion and vast experience in our next chapter as an organization.”

While stepping down from the TFAH Board, Dr. Christopher will continue in her roles as the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity and as a Senior Scholar at George Mason University’s Center for Well-Being. In addition, Dr. Christopher is president and founder of Ntianu Center for Healing and Nature. Prior to her Ntianu Center tenure, Dr. Christopher was senior adviser and vice president at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation where she was the architect of the Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Initiative, an adaptation of the globally recognized Truth and Reconciliation Commission model.

“It has been my honor to serve TFAH and to follow the leadership of former statesman, and Connecticut senator, Lowell Weicker in this vital role as President, then Chair of the TFAH board,” Dr. Christopher said. “I am particularly proud of TFAH’s legacy as a bipartisan convener and problem-solver during challenging and polarized times. I will continue to cherish the meaningful relationships with all my fellow board members and the outstanding staff, stakeholders, funders, and partners of this amazing organization. TFAH is a strong organization and I’m sure that we’ll continue to do great things lead by our incoming board chair, Dr. Stephanie Mayfield, our outstanding organizational president, Dr. Nadine Gracia, and all of the dedicated members of the TFAH Board.”

During Dr. Christopher’s tenure, TFAH experienced tremendous growth and notable achievement in addressing our nation’s most pressing public health issues, such as public health funding, emergency preparedness, obesity, substance misuse and suicide, healthy aging, healthy schools, the health impacts of climate change, and the social determinants of health.  Her exemplary leadership strengthened TFAH’s focus on health equity as foundational to policymaking at all levels.  And, along with her fellow Board members, Dr. Christopher provided steady and sage counsel to the organization in navigating the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

“TFAH owes Dr. Christopher a large debt of gratitude for her service to the organization. Her vision, mentorship, and expertise in racial healing and equity have been an inspiration to her fellow Board members and to the TFAH staff,” said Dr. Gracia.  “We look forward to working with her in the future as she continues to be a leader in the nation’s journey toward health equity.”

VIDEO: Drs. Gracia and Christopher discuss TFAH’s work

Dr. Stephanie Mayfield is a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist and an experienced health executive in both the public and private sectors.  As the incoming TFAH Board Chair, she brings critical frontline public health, healthcare system, and academic experience to the position.  Furthermore, she is a longtime advocate of promoting population health and advancing health equity.

“It’s a privilege to be the incoming board chair for Trust for America’s Health, a well-established and meaningful organization,” said Dr. Mayfield. “As a former state public health commissioner and former state laboratory director, we utilized TFAH’s reports for their rich data and policy recommendations to shape an informed systems approach to advance health equity. It’s an exciting time to support the organization in this new role in furtherance of our mission – to promote optimal health for every person and community and make the prevention of illness and injury a national priority. Thank you to our funders for enabling TFAH to pursue its mission and to our outgoing board chair, Dr. Gail Christopher, for her keen stewardship and visionary leadership.”

From 2020 to 2022, Dr. Mayfield served as the Director of the U.S. COVID-19 Response Initiative and Senior Advisor for U.S. Partnerships for Resolve to Save Lives.  The initiative provided COVID-19 response guidance and technical support to local and state health departments, other community partners, and to agencies of the Federal government. In her role as senior advisor, Dr. Mayfield additionally advised on a multi-sector, community-driven, best practices hypertension control initiative focused on optimizing patient empowerment and addressing social determinants of health.

In 2012, Dr. Mayfield was appointed commissioner of public health for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She was the first African American and first woman to serve in that role. Prior to her tenure as state public health commissioner, she was the state’s director of laboratory services under the Cabinet of Health and Family Services. In 2016, Dr. Mayfield joined KentuckyOne Health and KentuckyOne Health Partners, as the senior vice president and chief medical officer for population health and led the transformation of the state’s largest healthcare system by addressing basic human needs across the continuum of health. Dr. Mayfield has also held faculty positions at the Louisville School of Medicine and served as the Associate Chief of Staff and Staff Pathologist at the Louisville Veteran’s Administration Medical Center. Dr. Mayfield’s research includes early evaluation of what is now the gold-standard heart disease marker, Troponin.