Vermont Public Health Association

12/23/2025

Happy Holidays everyone! VtPHA will be taking some time off around the holidays. We hope your holiday season is filled with friends, family, warmth and laughter. See you next week!

12/22/2025

As confidence in our nation's federal public health agencies deteriorates, regional collaboration is on the upswing. Three examples of such collaborations:

1. Northeast Public Health Collaborative
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

2. West Coast Health Alliance
California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington

3. Governors Public Health Alliance
Colorado, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Guam.

While interstate collaboration is not new to public health agencies, this current formalization of relationships reflects a focused effort to fill a dangerous vacuum created by the actions of the current administration.

Read more on these collaboratives in this American Public Health Association Public Health Newswire article:

As evidence-based science continues to be erased across federal health agencies, a recent growth of regional public health alliances is working to fill critical gaps.

12/19/2025

In October, Vermont Governor Phil Scott appointed Dr. Rick Hildebrant to serve as the state’s newest Commissioner of Health.

Dr. Hildebrant takes the helm of the Vermont Department of Health at an important moment. From rapidly changing federal policies and funding priorities to persistent challenges to Vermont’s public health infrastructure, Dr. Hildebrant will need the support of the entire public health community to navigate these uncertain times.

On January 23rd, we invite you to join fellow VtPHA members for an exclusive conversation with Dr. Hildebrant. After hearing the Commissioner’s initial vision for VDH, we will open the floor for questions and dialogue.

Date: January 23rd, 2026
Time: 12:00pm – 12:45pm
Location: Virtual
Note: VTPHA Members Only

For more information on how to become a member and register - please follow the link below. We hope to see you there.

In October, Vermont Governor Phil Scott appointed Dr. Rick Hildebrant to serve as the state’s newest Commissioner of Health.  Dr. Hildebrant takes the helm of the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) at an important moment. From rapidly changing federal policies and funding priorities to persistent...

12/18/2025

Do people know what public health is? If they don't, why would they, or those they choose to represent them in state and federal government, protect it?

For most of VtPHA's 20+ years, it has felt like a given that the public writ large does not, in fact, know what public health practitioners do, and that's a BIG problem.

The de Beaumont Foundation recently released a toolkit to help us change this narrative. Focused on communicating with policymakers, but containing insights and strategies that reach far beyond that narrow audience, the toolkit includes strategies, talking points, do's and don'ts, and more for how to better communicate the essential value of the "invisible shield" we call public health.

It's well worth the read.

A research-based toolkit for public health professionals to overcome barriers to trust, perfect their messaging, and engage effectively with policymakers.

12/17/2025

In 2025, the Vermont Department of Health released its 2025-2030 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). A direct response to findings from the 2024 State Health Assessment, the SHIP is a five-year roadmap for ensuring that all people and communities in Vermont have inclusive, equitable, and sustainable access to opportunities for health and well-being.

Join VtPHA’s January Lunch and Learn to discuss the quantitative and qualitative data that led to the development of the Plan, how the state is implementing the Plan, and how you can use it to guide and support your work.

Date: January 14th, 2026
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location: Virtual

Thanks in advance to our presenters: Katie Stetler (Vermont Department of HealthVermont Department of Health), Amanda Froeschle (UVM Health - Porter Medical Center) and Amanda Jordan Smith (Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center).

Speakers bios and a link to registration can be found here:

In 2025, the Vermont Department of Health released its 2025-2030 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). A direct response to findings from the 2024 State Health Assessment, the SHIP is a five-year roadmap for ensuring that all people and communities in Vermont have inclusive, equitable, and sustainab...

12/16/2025

Great write-up by the University of Vermont College of Arts and Sciences on an event VtPHA co-hosted with UVM in October. The topic was timely then and is timely now. Federal Cuts to Global and Public Health: Effects and Responses.

Looking forward to working with a new crew of interns from the University of Vermont, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and Saint Michael's College this coming semester as VtPHA continues to push back against this era-defining assault on public health.

show the image caption close caption Event attendees in UVM Alumni Hall Silver Pavilion. Photo Evan Maynard. UVM Hosts Collaborative Event on Federal Cuts to Global and Public Health UVM and VtPHA collaborated to host a timely event on the impacts of federal cuts on global and public health. Share D...

12/15/2025

VtPHA has signed letters of support for two critical but lesser known departments within the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

With our focus squarely on the health of Vermonters, it is important that we take stock of just how much we rely on technical expertise, funding, research, and the national and international coordination and support that goes on within these federal agencies.

While political appointees do their best to corrupt the evidence-based, rigorous standards that states have come to depend on from our federal partners, not all is lost. There are still thousands of rank-and-file employees trying to do right by our communities.

Follow this link to see the two letters of support for funding the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH). In addition, you'll also find a link to a new article from "Your Friendly Epidemiologist" on why you can still trust data from the CDC.

VtPHA has signed letters of support for two critical but lesser known departments within the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With our focus squarely on the health of Vermonters, it is important that we take stock of just how much we rely on technical expertise, funding, research...

12/12/2025

There is still time to add your voice to the chorus of Americans asking for an extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.

Use this link from the American Public Health Association to send a note to your legislators. The form comes pre-populated with talking points, but can also be customized to reflect your unique experience.

https://www.votervoice.net/PublicHealth/Campaigns/132062/Respond

12/11/2025

With access to care being a question for so many rural communities, VTDigger exploration of the potential closure of pediatric beds at Rutland Regional Medical Center is much appreciated.

A particularly important point is made in this article by Green Mountain Care Board's Chair, Owen Foster. "...hospitals are beginning an “unintentional transformation,” cutting services before the state has a chance to intervene and direct those decisions to maintain access."

The Green Mountain Care Board is weighing whether to prevent the service reduction, in a first-ever instance of its new authority.

12/10/2025

Upcoming discussion on rent control and health.

Half of all renters face unaffordable rents, driving displacement and health effects like hypertension, poor birth outcomes, depression and even higher risk of death. Across the country, tenants are organizing for rent control — a proven solution that strengthens hope, builds community and improves health.

Join our partners at the American Public Health Association on Monday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET for the release of "The Health Benefits of Rent Control," a new paper co-authored by leading public health organizations. Learn more about this new resource and participate in a strategy conversation on how to plug into the growing health movement for rent control.

Register for the webinar here:

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: The Health Movement for Rent Control . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

12/10/2025

As Vermont begins to ramp up for the start of the 2026 legislative session, I am reminded of a fantastic research project VtPHA undertook with Elham Malik and Emily Levonas from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth's Masters in Public Health program.

As the state wrestles with major challenges regarding access to, and affordability of, care - a situation made worse by hospital closures and increasing system costs - how could an investment in public health programs help meet Vermonters where they live with more cost-efficient and effective services?

Other states have asked this question, and two in particular utilized Public Health Commissions to find answers.

If you're interested to learn more about what a Public Health Commission is or can be - check out our blog that details the findings of this collaborative research project.

Could Vermont benefit from a similar commission?

https://vtpha.org/june-lunch-learn-recap-strengthening-public-health-systems-learning-from-state-commission-models-and-their-impact/

12/09/2025

Advocacy Partner Spotlight: (DPH)

Defend Public Health is a new and growing national voice for public health advocacy with a founding board member, Jonathan Shaffer, Ph.D., based right here in Vermont.

DPH’s 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.

Join DPH’s VT email list here!
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-defend-public-health-vermont/