Ask your 2026 candidates where they stand on public health

For decades, public health churned quietly in the background, an invisible shield that kept populations safe and minimized disease spread. Before the recent pandemic, most Americans knew little about the national, state or local public health structure.   

During the recent 100-year COVID-19 pandemic, public health became front and center in America and caught the eyes of elected officials. Finding fault with public health actions during the pandemic, several states enacted new laws and measures to govern its operations and scope. Thus, like other campaign issues, public health is now part of modern-day politics. 

Although public health and healthcare are different — public health focuses on keeping the community healthy, whereas healthcare focuses on individual health — they are intertwined. Considering the broad and important role of public health, and that changes in public health policy will affect community and individual health, we, the voters, need to know how our elected officials approach the related issues.  

Below are a few — not all — of the positions we must consider from those entrusted to represent us.

First, there are community threats. What do your candidates believe are the biggest public health threats your community faces? What measures will they put in place to provide eyes and ears for what is happening in public health? When faced with new infectious disease threats, like the last pandemic, what is the strategy for containment or mitigation? Who will lead this response, and what will be your candidates’ role?

Next is food safety. Federal lawmakers are increasingly focusing on nutrition and Americans increasingly value the importance of nutrition. At........

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