Hello Carlene,

As the fiscal year comes to a close, it’s hard to describe how much has changed in the last 6 months. We started the year on a high with victories for all three of our priority campaigns: public health infrastructure, regional transit, and substance use disorder. However, these wins have been overshadowed by seismic policy shifts and destabilizing funding cuts coming from the federal government. The Trump Administration has incited one public health crisis after another, threatening the health, safety, and well-being of people across Massachusetts and the United States.

The targeted attacks from the federal government are meant to both overwhelm and pit us against one another. But we know our struggles are all interconnected. We must come together in alliance to fight back. Because when we fight, we win.

Thank you for being in this fight with us.

In the months and years ahead, your partnership, financial support, and active engagement will help sustain MPHA. You can count on us to stay true to our values and to not waver from our beliefs in evidence-based science, in racial justice and health equity, and in people over profits.

In alliance,

The MPHA Staff

Policy updates.

Our current advocacy continues to focus on the FY2026 state budget and protecting public health in Massachusetts. In June, MPHA presented testimony before the Joint Committee on Public Health and urged them to give favorable reports on three pieces of legislation.

H.2554, An Act Relative to Routine Childhood Immunizations, and S.1557, An Act Relative to Vaccines and Preventing Future Disease Outbreaks

These bills would remove non-medical exemptions for childhood vaccination from Massachusetts law. Our schools are a setting where all children must be protected, including those most vulnerable and immuno-compromised. While everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, public health policy must be built on the best available science and focus on protecting all children. Read MPHA’s testimony here.

H.2427/S.1546, An Act to Improve Indoor Air Quality for Highly-Impacted Communities

Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. Whether at home, school, or work, the associated health risks of indoor air pollution are substantial. Environmental health risks caused by poor ventilation, water damage, and other air quality hazards have a disproportionate impact on low-income populations. This legislation would establish a task force to address the current gaps in regulations, as well as identify the capacity needs to enforce indoor air quality and mold remediation efforts. Read MPHA’s testimony here.

FY26 State Budget: We're in the Homestretch!

The FY26 state budget is not finalized yet, so your advocacy is needed to ensure that public health is a top priority for the Legislature. Since May 29, a six-member Conference Committee has been working to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate budget versions. These conferees will develop a compromise budget that will be voted on by the House and Senate before it goes to the Governor’s desk. This is our window to protect funding for health equity – and we need your voice to help make it happen. Use these advocacy tools to raise your voice and check out MPHA budget priorities here.

MPHA in action.

Health Equity Trends Summit 2025 Offered Time for Reflection, Learning, and Action

The recurring message from this year’s Health Equity Trends Summit was the importance of “following equity as our North Star, so we can move forward together towards a healthier, more just future.” Congratulations to the Health Equity Compact for a fabulous conference that uplifted the ways that government, healthcare, and communities are working together to invest in systems, collaborations, and communities most impacted by health inequities. You can catch the full recording of the speakers and panels here.

Oami Amarasingham (left) met with colleagues at the Summit. From left to right: Filaine Deronnette, Founder and CEO of Good Works; Lissette Blondet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers; and Amie Shei, CEO of the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts.

Forum Addressed Long COVID and Equity

While it’s tempting to put COVID in the rear-view mirror, health equity issues still remain. On June 24th, the Boston COVID Recovery Cohort hosted a forum to raise awareness about long COVID and what can be done to address it in Massachusetts. MPHA Executive Director Carlene Pavlos joined State Representative Mindy Domb (3rd Hampshire), Kelly Frances Bates, Esq., President of Interaction Institute for Social Change, and Cheryl Clark, MD, ScD, Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Executive Director and Senior VP at the Institute for Health Equity Research Evaluation and Policy. Carlene shared MPHA’s commitment to health equity and our community-driven policy agenda and encouraged attendees to work in coalition – across silos – to create a world of greater justice where all people, including those experiencing long COVID, can thrive.

In the news.

RFK Jr.’s unclean ‘sweep’ of CDC vaccine panel. The Boston Globe published a Letter to the Editor from MPHA Executive Director Carlene Pavlos and MPHA Deputy Director Oami Amarasingham on the dismantling of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP). Since the letter was published, Kennedy has appointed new ACIP members - the majority of whom do not have expertise in vaccines and have expressed vaccine skepticism or shared unscientific views on vaccines. We are following the developments of their work and what it will mean for public policy and insurance coverage.

MPHA happenings and updates.

Spring Awards Breakfast a Huge Success

Our 23rd Annual Spring Awards Breakfast was a joyful and energetic celebration of public health—everything our hearts and spirits needed. Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors and donors, we raised over $135,000 to support MPHA’s work year-round.

Being together and celebrating our public health heroes reminded us of the power we hold when we come together for health, justice, and community. As Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said, "This is pivotal moment in time for public health, for our country, for our future, for democracy, and for truth. Public health is not just about science, it’s an act of patriotism!”

Watch and share Commissioner Goldstein’s full remarks here.

Check out the event program book for award bios, congratulatory ads, and more!

We look forward to celebrating with everyone again next year!

Resistance in action.

Act Now to Protect SNAP

Over 1 million people in Massachusetts rely on SNAP each month to put food on the table— children, seniors, immigrants, and working families. Cuts to SNAP would increase food insecurity, overwhelm food pantries, and trigger devastating ripple effects across our state budget, health systems, and economy. SNAP cuts create a chain reaction that impacts us all.

That’s why, our ally Project Bread and advocates across the Northeast are coming together in a Day of Action to send a powerful message to Congress: Do not gut the programs that feed families and sustain our communities. Learn more and take action.