Dear partners for public health,
As we’ve reflected on the past year at MPHA, we keep returning to a few important themes: breaking down silos, uplifting communities, advocating to change the status quo, promoting public health solutions, and centering equity. In fact, these are MPHA’s commitments in approaching our work – from setting policy priorities to working in relationship with community-led groups and searching for effective, strategic, and equitable solutions to address the pressing public health needs across the Commonwealth.
Contained in this report are snapshots of a few key issues we worked on in 2023 and reflections from a few of our fabulous health equity collaborators. In each example, you’ll recognize these commitments at play. The stark truth is that the failure to center both equity and public health expertise costs us dearly, as evidenced before, during, and since the COVID-pandemic. The constant in our work is advocacy for stronger investments in infrastructure and programs that bolster the fundamental building blocks of good health and improve health outcomes for those most impacted by inequities.
We also want to highlight that 2023 was a year of many firsts that moved us forward in the drive for health equity.
- MPHA’s first Public Health Lobby Day helped us gain traction for two of our priority bills: the Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community (SAPHE 2.0) Act and the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Advancement bill.
- The FY2024 budget was the first budget to reflect Fair Share funds, including an historic increase of $56 million to improve services across the Commonwealth’s 15 RTAs.
- For the first time, Massachusetts enshrined permanent funding for School Meals for All and restored Chapter 257 to permanently provide eviction protections.
- The first ever Performance Standards issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will help improve the municipal and regional public health system, another important step in our progress to transform our local health system.
MPHA proudly played a part in each of these milestones.
Other firsts remind us that much work remains to be done. All time high overdose deaths. A doubling of the rate of severe maternal morbidity, particularly for birthing people of color and birthing people with disabilities. Together, we have the power to ensure that these and other public health crises are met head-on with public health solutions that address the inequities underlying these disparities and racial gaps.
We’re at a crucial juncture to build and redefine the role of public health in our state—and it’s all thanks to the unwavering support of donors, members, and partners like you.
With gratitude,
Carlene Pavlos Steve Ridini
Executive Director Board President
Public Health in Action
Breaking Down Silos
Capacity Building
Coalition Building
