ABOUT US
our mission
Defend Public Health is an all-volunteer network of public health researchers, healthcare workers, advocates and allies fighting to protect the health of all from the Trump administration's cruel attacks on proven, science-based public health policies. We believe that everyone has the right to what they need for a healthy life, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.
We began with a call put out on social media in late 2024 by public health researchers alarmed at what seemed to be coming from the incoming Trump administration on health policy, including appointments such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Dept. of Health and Human Services. Hundreds of healthcare providers, scientists, advocates and allies responded, and DPH was born.
Not yet. We are evaluating a number of options for long-term organizational and financial stability going forward, but want to take the time needed to get these decisions right. Thus far, individual members have spent their own money for the few expenses we’ve incurred.
We have a volunteer coordinating committee that meets weekly. Much of our work is planned and organized by working groups that focus on infectious disease, social health; healthcare and health insurance; sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice; defending institutions;disability justice; LGBTQ health; climate and environmental health, and communications. We hold monthly general meetings via Zoom which usually feature guest speakers from outside DPH as well as updates on our work.
We don’t have formal membership in the sense of dues-paying or card-carrying members, but our monthly general meetings via Zoom typically attract at least 300 participants. As of early April 2025, our email list had over 3,000 names and continues to grow.
Absolutely not. Many of us have been outspokenly critical of health policy decisions made under prior administrations of both parties. But there’s a difference between thoughtful reform and taking a chainsaw to what has been, overall, the most successful health policy and medical research apparatus that has ever existed in human history, and that is exactly what is happening now. We would love to pursue a positive agenda to improve U.S. public health, but first we must stop the destruction before too many lives are lost – and make no mistake, lives will be lost if things keep going as they’ve been going since Jan. 20.
If you’re not already on our mailing list, please join! You can also join one of our committees here. See our Get Involved page for any current campaigns or other opportunities.
