Center for Health Equity, March Newsletter
Hello Colleagues!
Below is the monthly roundup of news, resources, and events for your review. Please be advised, in addition to the monthly newsletter, the Center may send additional announcements as time-sensitive opportunities become available between our regular communication to you.  Â
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On March 20, 2025, communities across the nation came together to honor National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD) under the theme Walking in Tradition, Anchored in Culture. This annual observance serves as a powerful call to action, encouraging American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to engage in HIV education, testing, prevention, and treatment.
The theme reflects the strength, resilience, and healing power of cultural traditions in Native communities. As Devona Bradford of the National Native HIV Network (NNHN) states, embracing cultural values empowers communities to break down barriers, raise awareness, and expand culturally responsive healthcare.
Led by the National Native HIV Network, NNHAAD is more than a day of awareness—it is a movement that uplifts Indigenous voices, fosters peer support, and strengthens collective efforts to end the HIV epidemic in Indian Country. As Spring begins, so too does the opportunity to honor traditions while taking bold steps toward health equity.
Equity-Related News, Reports, and Tools
Executive Orders and Public Health Implications - A Webinar from Act for Public Health: Numerous federal executive orders are affecting public health practice at federal, state, and local levels.
These executive orders influence policies related to health equity, agency operations, and funding for all levels of government. Understanding the scope and limits of executive orders is crucial for public health professionals who are navigating these changes.
Act for Public Health’s webinar offers insight into the legal and practical implications of these executive orders and delves into the following topics:
The purpose and legal limits of federal executive orders
Executive orders affecting health equity and public health practice
Legal challenges to these executive orders
Strategies for responding to executive orders
Just Released - The 2025 Data and a Bold New Model of Health - Discover the latest on the health of your county. We’ve just updated and added new data and resources to improve health as a part of our 2025 Annual Data Release. We’ve also added:
A bold new model of health that seeks to broaden our understanding of the forces shaping community conditions;
A 2025 report on building power for health and equity;
Refreshed County Health Snapshots and trend graphs and a new national map featurethat shows regional patterns and comparisons;
Six new measures, including access to parks, adverse climate events, lack of social and emotional support, feelings of loneliness, library access and disability: functional limitations; and,
Updates to our collection of more than 80 health-related measures and data.
Attached below is the report for your review and for additional information click HERE
Demystifying California’s State Budget Process - The state budget shapes the well-being of our communities, influencing everything from schools and healthcare to public safety. But understanding the process at times can be difficult.
That’s why we created the Budget Academy — your go-to resource for making sense of California’s budget and what it means for you.
With expert insights, practical tools, and short, easy-to-follow videos, the Budget Academy breaks down key budget concepts so you can stay informed and take action. Whether you’re an advocate, policymaker, journalist, or engaged community member, these resources are designed to strengthen your advocacy and support informed decision-making.
Check out our video library to learn how the budget process works — and stay tuned for more to come!
National Academies - Proceedings of a Workshop - In Brief: Enhancing the Resilience of Health Care and Public Health Critical Infrastructure: In December 2024, the National Academies Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies hosted a public workshop to consider strategies, policies, and innovative actions to improve the resilience of HPH critical infrastructure concerning impacts from disasters and other emergencies.
This Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief highlights the presentations and discussions that occurred at the workshop.
For the complete report click HERE
Happenings
Northern California Grantmakers: CA Funder Debrief | Tax Equity Series Session 2: With major state and federal tax and budget debates on the horizon, California families and communities, particularly immigrant families and communities, may face significant economic hardship in the years to come.
Join fellow California funders for sessions that are designed to encourage coordination and alignment across California philanthropy. We are hoping for robust discussions as we come together to share insights and learn from each other. Register for session 2, focusing on whats at stake at the federal and state levels.
When: Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 | 10:00am
To Register - Click HERE
The American Public Health Association Proudly Presents: Navigating the Vaccine Debate: Science, Misinformation and Policy: Public health is facing unprecedented challenges. From funding cuts and staff layoffs to growing vaccine doubts and rising measles outbreaks, the stakes have never been higher. Join them for a free town hall where they break down the science, address misinformation and explore policy implications surrounding vaccines.
This is your chance to get answers from experts like Paul Offit, MD and understand how these issues affect you and your community. The conversation is open to everyone, and they encourage you to bring your questions.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be informed and empowered.
When: Tuesday, April 1 | 4:00pm - 5:30pm
To Register Click HERE
Sprint Into Health Event - Please join the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health - Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Programs for an afternoon of nutritious food distribution, wellness, resources and giveaways!
Where:
MLK Jr. Center for Public Health
11833 S. Wilmington Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90059
When: Thursday, April 17, 2025; 12:00-2:30pm
Webinar: Public Health Under the New Administration: Examining State and Local Authority to Regulate Raw Milk, Water Fluoridation, and School-Entry VaccinesJoin the Network for Public Health Law for a webinar focused on three important public health issues on which federal, state, and local regulation are intertwined and that may be subject to change based on representations from federal officials under the new federal administration.
By attending this webinar, you will learn about existing and potential changes to laws regarding:
Raw Milk
Anna Kate Cagle will explain what raw milk is and give an overview of the dynamics of consumer demand for raw milk and the public health benefits of pasteurization. She will then discuss the current federal and state regulation of raw milk and potential changes to the federal regulation of unpasteurized dairy and its implication for state regulatory authority.
Water Fluoridation
Lauren Gammer will discuss the current federal, state, and local regulatory framework for water fluoridation. She will also discuss pending federal litigation that may impact the EPA’s ability to regulate water fluoridation. Lauren will consider potential changes to the federal regulation of fluoride and opportunities for states and local governments to respond.
School-entry Vaccines
Madison Harden-Stein will examine the federal and state legal and legislative frameworks that govern school-entry vaccine requirements. The discussion will cover how federal law and guidance influences state laws and how states have used legislative authority to mandate school-entry vaccines with varying exemptions. Madison will explain how state and local governments can respond based on potential changes in the federal framework.
When: April 17th, 2025 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm
To Register Click HERE
Funding Opportunities
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Funding for County Health Rankings and Roadmaps To End in 2026: For 15 years, County Health Rankings and Roadmaps (CHR&R) has provided data, evidence and tools to help communities better understand how they can take action to improve health and equity.
Unfortunately, their primary funder, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has decided to end funding for CHR&R in 2026. This means that the 2025 Annual Data Release will likely be their last.
They are providing news about our funding so the more than 700,000 people who use the resources every year have time to identify alternate resources and ways to continue important efforts to improve health and equity.
CHR&R will provide support for communities while they ve the resources to do so. They invite you to explore our recent Annual Data Release and new model of health.
As they look to the future, they want to document how you use CHR&R. Sharing your experiences will help them explore alternative funding so they can continue to provide valuable resources to the field.