ASPPH Releases Fact Sheet on Impacts of Federal Public Health Funding Cuts on Schools and Programs of Public Health

ASPPH has released a new fact sheet, The Impact of Federal Cuts to Public Health Infrastructure and Education, outlining the significant and wide-ranging effects of proposed and enacted funding cuts to critical federal public health agencies that are central to ASPPH's FY 2026 funding priorities and which play a foundational role in supporting public health research, education, and workforce development.

The agencies impacted include the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The fact sheet emphasizes how reductions in federal support jeopardize the public health infrastructure, disrupt academic partnerships, and threaten the sustainability of education and training programs across the country. Schools and programs of public health are at risk of losing essential funding streams and training pipelines necessary for preparing the next generation of public health professionals. These cuts also compromise community preparedness and national health resilience.

In response to these challenges, ASPPH has undertaken significant advocacy efforts. ASPPH joined the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in a lawsuit that successfully resulted in a permanent injunction against NIH's Facilities & Administration cap policy. ASPPH also mobilized members for a Capitol Hill Day, during which they met with congressional delegations to advocate for increased funding and the preservation of key public health programs. Additional actions included issuing public statements, organizing calls to action, and joining coalition letters opposing the FY 2026 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget proposal and plans to dismantle certain agencies.