Reports

Chronic Underinvestment and Recent Disruptions Have Weakened U.S. Public Health System

America’s public health system is at an inflection point. Decades of chronic underinvestment, compounded by workforce reductions, funding disruptions, and institutional uncertainty during 2025 and 2026, have weakened the system’s capacity to protect communities from preventable disease and injury.

Pain in the Nation 2026: the Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths

After two decades of rising deaths from alcohol, drugs, and suicide, the United States is at a turning point. Recent declines in mortality suggest meaningful progress, but that progress is fragile.

Ready or Not 2026: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism

Advancing Policies that Create Conditions for Good Health

Federal cuts to health promoting programs will require that states and community partners work creatively and across sectors to protect and advance residents' health.

State of Obesity Report 2025 : Better Policies for a Healthier America

This annual report tracks U.S. obesity rates by state, race, gender, and age and recommends policy action to address the nation's obesity crisis. Analyzing 2024 data, the report found a first time decrease in states with adult obesity rates over 35 percent but warns that this progress is limited and at risk due to federal budget cuts and staffing reductions.

Public Health’s Roles in Supporting Informal and Family Caregiving

As the population ages, the critical role of family and informal caregivers will continue to grow and needs support.

Public Health Infrastructure in Crisis: HHS Workforce Cuts, Reorganizations, and Funding Reductions: Impacts and Solutions

This 2025 version of TFAH’s annual report tracking public health funding tallies the serious impacts of the fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget and staff reductions and proposed agency budget levels and reorganizations for FY 2026 on the public health system. Among the report’s findings are that CDC’s budget would be reduced by 53 percent if the administration’s proposed FY 2026 budget is adopted.

Pain in the Nation 2025: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths

New data show that deaths due to drug overdose and alcohol are down nationally, but this progress is uneven across population groups and at risk due to cuts to federal health programs and workforce.

Ready or Not 2025: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism

As the Nation grapples with a multistate measles outbreak, bird flu, and an increasing number and intensity of weather-related events this annual TFAH report measures states' preparedness for public health emergencies and makes recommendations to strengthen the nation’s public health system and improve emergency readiness.

Pathway to a Healthier America: A Blueprint for Strengthening Public Health for the New Administration and Congress

Report provides the Administration and Congress taking office in 2025 a policy roadmap for improving the nation’s health, economy, and national security.