Will Humble Public Health Law, Wills Blog

AZPHA Annual Business Meeting Summary

AZPHA held our annual members meeting last Friday afternoon. We covered a host of AZPHA business like finances, governance, professional development activities, membership update and a summary of our advocacy approach and actions over the last year. We also thanked our outgoing board members and welcomed our new Board members and those who moved to new positions.

Elena Burr, Director of Communications & Outreach at AllThrive 365, will serve as Director of Communications. She is recognized for her community-centric storytelling, relationship-building, and visionary leadership in healthy aging and public health. Elena serves as the Chair of the Arizona Health Equity Conference Planning Committee and holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Arizona.

Charity Moparthy, graduate student at the University of Arizona, will serve as Student Representative. She is pursuing a Master of Public Health with a focus on Health Policy and Management from the University of Arizona and brings hands-on experience in research coordination, student engagement, and community outreach, with a deep commitment to health equity and amplifying youth voices.

Lora Timmons, DHPE, MPH, Dean for Nursing and Healthcare at GateWay Community College, will serve as Director of Professional Development & Academic Relations. With a Doctorate in Health Professions Education and a Master of Public Health, Dr. Timmons has a proven track record in increasing student success, developing new academic programs, and fostering industry partnerships. She is a certified experiential educator and has served on many advisory boards and committees dedicated to advancing public health education.

Felicia Trembath, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor at Midwestern University, will serve as Vice President. Dr. Felicia Trembath is a respected public health scholar and educator. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology and Master of Public Health, and her research and leadership have focused on infectious disease prevention, health promotion, and academic excellence. She is a recipient of the prestigious Health System Integration Program Fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Helena Whitney, from the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, will serve as Director at Large. With over two decades of experience in Medicaid and healthcare policy, government relations, and public health consulting, Helena has held senior roles in legislative affairs, led statewide health assessments, and developed innovative programs to improve health equity and behavioral health outcomes.

Annual Members Meeting Financial Review

The 98th Annual Members Meeting was held, with President Sean Clendaniel opening the meeting and highlighting the upcoming centennial celebration in two years.

Dr. Christine Girard presented the Treasurer’s Report detailing financial accountability and the financial landscape of the organization. She explained the fiscal year operations, including consulting with NPO Accountants and preparing financial statements following GAAP.

She presented a bar graph showing the total net assets from fiscal year 2016 through 2025, noting a significant increase in revenue over the last 7 years. She emphasized the need to further diversify revenue streams and mentioned the recent completion of strategic planning work.

APHA Governance and Advocacy Update

Rebecca Nevedale (our Affiliate Representative on the Governing Council) provided an update on her role as the representative to APHA’s Governing Council, explaining its functions and her involvement in policymaking and advocacy at a broader scale. She highlighted APHA’s involvement in six lawsuits to protect public health and introduced the Campaign for the Public’s Health, a new initiative led by Dr. Benjamin.

APHA Strategic Initiatives and Advocacy

Rebecca discussed APHA’s initiatives, including the formation of a “war room” for strategic policy planning and a new campaign to combat adverse policies. She highlighted the modernization of the policy brief process and a revised nominations process aimed at improving geographic representation. Rebecca also mentioned APHA’s advocacy priorities, financial challenges, and the adoption of a policy on hate-motivated behavior, while emphasizing the importance of supporting the organization financially. She concluded by encouraging participation in APHA activities, particularly for those involved in sections or caucuses, to enhance collaboration at the state level.

AZPHA Policy Updates and Advocacy

AZPHA provided updates on their activities in 2025, including delivering over 50 public health policy updates and action alerts. They discussed their decision-making process, which involves weekly policy meetings and considering factors such as mission alignment and community impact. AZPHA plans to monitor upcoming bills, including one on over-the-counter ivermectin and another related to children’s bicycles, and will meet virtually on Fridays at 2 in January and February.

Will Humble explained the process of reviewing and taking positions on bills in policy committee meetings, emphasizing the importance of resolutions passed by AZPHA members since the 1930s to guide their advocacy. He highlighted their unique ability to quickly take positions on bills due to these resolutions, which helps raise their profile with lawmakers and journalists.

Penny Allee-Taylor mentioned their work with the Arizona Corporation Commission, noting that while their advocacy efforts have been challenging in recent years, they plan to continue engaging with the commission. Felicia Trembath, chair of the Professional Development and Academic Relations Committee, discussed their recent conference on modernizing public health practice and ongoing member webinars, which will continue into the next year.

AZPHA 2026 Initiatives and Growth

Felicia and Will discussed upcoming events and initiatives for AZPHA in 2026, including a heat prevention presentation and a behavioral health conference. They highlighted the success of recent networking events and a National Public Health Week panel.

Dr. DeShawn Taylor presented a membership report, noting a significant increase in members over the years, particularly due to organizational memberships. The survey results revealed that most members heard about AZPHA through word of mouth, and the majority were satisfied with the organization. The association plans to use this feedback to refine its programming and activities in the coming years.

Behavioral Health Conference Planning

Will discussed the upcoming May 1st conference focusing on behavioral health, including topics like court-ordered treatment, homelessness, and maternal mental health. He mentioned the need to balance conference planning with legislative session work and other responsibilities.

Will also touched on the organization’s 98-year history and plans for its 100th anniversary in 2028. Finally, he reviewed the recent board-driven strategic planning process, which included a SWOT analysis and development of a draft strategic work plan for the board to review in January.

Board Member Transition Recognition

The meeting focused on recognizing outgoing board members for their contributions, while welcoming newly elected members including Charity Moparthy as student representative, Laura Timmons for professional development, and Helena Whitney as member at large.

Sean Clendaniel highlighted the competitive election process and praised the incoming board members, while expressing gratitude to the current board and members for their dedication to public health. The conversation ended with a warm introduction of Lauriane as the new president, acknowledging her leadership qualities and enthusiasm.

2026 Public Health Conference Planning

The board discussed plans for the 2026 public health conference, noting strong interest in AZPHA events and a high number of board applications, including many students. They agreed to focus on providing more engagement pathways for the public health workforce and to support Will, their sole paid staff, by handling non-essential tasks while allowing him to focus on policy and advocacy.

Will outlined the conference planning process, including a January call for proposals, review committees, and free attendance for selected presenters, while Dr. DeShawn Taylor emphasized the importance of securing sponsorships from for-profit organizations to keep conference costs low.

View the PowerPoint used at the Annual Members Meeting
View the Annual Member Meeting Recording:
Passcode: e=2KS%o=
Will Humble Public Health Law, Wills Blog

2026 Arizona Legislative Session: What We’re Hearing So Far

The 2026 Arizona Legislative Session kicks off in just seven short weeks, and early conversations at the Capitol are already pointing to a crowded policy agenda.

As always, which ideas ultimately become bills—and which of those receive hearings, amendments, or traction—will come down to committee chairs, caucus priorities, fiscal constraints, and the political dynamics of an election year. But based on what we’re hearing, here’s a preview of the major themes likely to shape the session.

Healthcare Financing, Coverage, and System Oversight

Legislators are expected to revisit several complex issues related to healthcare costs and coverage. Concerns about uncompensated care and cost-shifting to employers continue to drive interest in reforms to the insurance marketplace.

Proposals may appear around health insurance company regulation, improving navigation support for health coverage, and policies aimed at addressing fraud, waste, and abuse across the health sector.

A significant focus will likely be on safeguarding Arizona’s ability to use provider taxes to draw down federal matching funds for AHCCCS, a key financing tool for maintaining Medicaid stability.

Lawmakers are also expected to consider measures to preserve coverage gains in Medicaid, CHIP, and ACA marketplace enrollment, while some may advance proposals promoting a more explicitly free-market model of healthcare.

Behavioral health access—including workforce, licensing, and reimbursement challenges are also expected to feature prominently.

Early Childhood and Child Development

Several legislators are signaling renewed attention to early childhood, including all-day kindergarten funding options, strengthening the early childhood system, and investments in child development supports. Expect ongoing debate about funding models and the long-term return on early learning investments (but little or no progress).

Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development

Housing will again be one of the biggest policy arenas of the session.

Anticipated proposals include:

  • Arizona Department of Housing reauthorization
  • Investments in the AZ Housing Trust Fund and making its annual appropriation permanent
  • Updates to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program
  • “Yes in God’s Backyard (YIGBY)” strategies to encourage faith-based organizations to develop housing
  • A continued push for attainable workforce housing
  • Support for new facilities and services to mitigate homelessness
  • Efforts to reduce zoning barriers and community opposition to affordable housing and shelters

Workforce housing is also expected to appear in the broader set of healthcare workforce policies, including graduate medical education, recruitment and retention, and transportation-related supports.

Civic Health and Voting Access

Measures affecting civic participation will likely surface again, probably as a ballot referral by the legislature (Hobbs can’t veto those). We expect opposition to proposals that would limit early voting or otherwise create inequitable barriers to voter access.

Infrastructure, Economic Development, and Workforce Training

Infrastructure needs are still a perennial topic, especially as the state continues to attract large-scale business and population growth. Anticipated areas of focus include:

  • Water, wastewater, transportation, and power infrastructure
  • Investments in training and workforce development
  • Licensing reforms aimed at creating a system that is both safe and predictable
  • Financing tools—like Tax Allocation Districts—to help local governments stay competitive in business attraction and retention

The Legislature is also expected to revisit Prop 123 / State Land Trust Permanent Fund issues and once again debate the Aggregate Expenditure Limit (AEL), which continues to affect K–12 operations and school district flexibility.

Will Humble Early Childhood, Wills Blog

What the 2025 Child Fatality Review Report Tells Us (Including Policy Recommendations)

Every year since the 1990s the Arizona Child Fatality Review Program looks at every child death in our state — from birth through age 17 — to see which ones might have been prevented. Their goal is simple but vital: to use what we learn to save lives.

The 2025 report (the 32nd annual edition) shows that communities across Arizona — including all tribal nations and local review teams — completed reviews for 100% of child deaths in the year.

That thorough work helps point out trends, risks, and possible solutions so that parents, lawmakers, and communities can do better.

2025 Child Fatality Review Report

What Are the Main Problems

The report breaks child deaths into different types — accidental injuries, homicides, suicides, natural (medical) causes, and more.

Some of the biggest issues include:

Premature births and sudden infant deaths — For babies under one year, prematurity and sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) remain major challenges.

  • Drowning deaths — Children sometimes die in water-related accidents.
  • Firearm-related deaths — Gun injuries remain a serious cause of child fatalities.
  • Car crashes and motor vehicle accidents — Crashes continue to put young lives at risk.
  • Infectious disease deaths — The report notes that deaths from infectious illness rose, and a significant portion may have been preventable.

While some deaths are unavoidable, many fall into categories labeled “preventable” — meaning that safety rules, education, health care access, or better supervision could be effective.

What the Report Recommends

Based on its findings, the CFRP proposes several key steps for families, communities, and lawmakers to help reduce child deaths.

  • Require proper storage of all firearms by making adult owners legally civilly & criminally responsible for keeping the firearm unloaded and locked in a safe with the ammunition stored separately.
  • Families should store firearms securely, keeping guns unloaded and locked, with ammunition stored separately. Arizona should implement a child access prevention law to reinforce the importance of safe gun storage.
  • Parents and caregivers should use age-appropriate car seats and seat belts — and enforce rear-seat travel for children under 13. Enforcement of existing requirements would help
  • Communities should expand home-visiting and support programs (especially for expectant mothers), and encourage healthy behaviors during pregnancy to reduce premature birth deaths
  • Parents must know safe-sleep guidelines for babies and avoid using items not designed for infant sleep or recalled products.
  • Access to health care and preventive measures — including vaccinations and timely medical care — should be improved, especially to address disease-related deaths.

Some recommendations need new laws; others can be acted on by state agencies, community groups, or families right away.

Firearm Violence in Arizona: Data to Support Prevention Policies

You can see the numerous graphs and policy recommendations in the full report (142 pages): 2025 Child Fatality Review Report

Will Humble Early Childhood, Vaccination, Wills Blog

Kennedy’s ACIP Votes to Weaken the Birth-Dose Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation

Last week the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to change a policy that has protected newborns for 30 years. ACIP is the group that advises the CDC on vaccines, and its decisions shape what shots are covered by the Vaccines for Children program, Medicaid, and private insurance… so they have a hardwire into vaccine policy and reimbursement.

Arizona reacts to RFK Jr. panel’s decision on Hep B vaccine

The new recommendation says that parents of babies born to mothers who test negative for hepatitis B should talk with their doctor about whether to delay the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. If they choose to delay, ACIP says the baby should wait until at least 2 months of age to start the vaccine series.

This is a big shift in policy (which wasn’t supported by evidence). The birth dose has helped cut hepatitis B infections in babies by more than 90% over the last few decades.

At least the committee recommended that if a mom hasn’t been tested for Hep B (or if she tests positive for hepatitis B) the old rules stay in place… that the babies should still get the vaccine within 12 hours of birth, plus hepatitis B immune globulin.

Because of the way ACIP wrote the new recommendation, coverage rules don’t change. VFC and private plans must still cover the birth dose.

But here’s the concerning part: ACIP didn’t present new safety or effectiveness issues to support this change. Instead, committee members said they revisited the policy because:

  • Some parents have concerns about the birth dose
  • Some European countries wait a few months to start the vaccine
  • It has been a long time since ACIP last reviewed this topic

Those reasons may sound reasonable at first glance, but they ignore real-world risks in the U.S. health system. All pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B, but testing does not always happen.

Even when it does, about 2% of results are false negatives. And some women become infected later in pregnancy, after they’ve already been tested. The birth dose is the safety net that protects babies in these situations.

A new modeling study (not yet peer-reviewed) estimates that delaying the vaccine until 2 months could lead to:

  • 1,400 more babies becoming chronically infected in the first year
  • 304 future liver cancer cases
  • 482 deaths related to hepatitis B

Hepatitis B in infants is extremely serious. About 90% of babies infected at birth become chronically infected, and about one-quarter of those children will die early from liver disease.

An Odd Second Recommendation

ACIP also advised that parents who choose to vaccinate their kid for Hep B ask for a blood test after the first dose to see if more doses are needed. This suggestion wasn’t backed by evidence either. It’s also impractical and won’t be covered by VFC or insurance because it’s not a vaccine—it’s a lab test.

The Bigger Picture

Last week’s changes won’t cause sweeping harm right away because they apply only to infants whose moms known to be negative for hepatitis B. But the signal is clear.

I think this these decisions are just the lowest hanging fruit and the start of what will be a years-long effort by CDC leadership and Kennedy to make wholesale changes to the kids and adult vaccine schedules. Basically, that last week’s “small” changes are warm-up for much larger steps in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

In a nutshell:

  • The decisions at ACIP are now mainly driven by politics & ideology rather than hard evidence, undermining trust in public-health guidance.
  • This politicization decreases vaccination uptake, risking preventable disease outbreaks and long-term public health harm.
  • That greatly weakened institutional expertise at the CDC and their consent to the ACIP recommendations harms both domestic and global health infrastructure — which historically relied on robust, evidence-based vaccine programs out of the ACIP & CDC.

Since last week’s changes weren’t driven by evidence – the future changes probably won’t be either.

Will Humble Professional Development, Wills Blog

Public Health Journalism this Week

Arizona lawmaker proposes making ivermectin available over-the-counter

Arizona flu rising E. coli linked to state fair sparks concerns – Arizona PBS

Copa Health to operate new housing for Arizonans with mental illness

RFK Jr.’s ACIP panel recommends delay in newborn hepatitis B vaccination | STAT

RFK Jr.’s CDC spreads false facts about vaccines, autism, critics say

Arizona reacts to RFK Jr. panel’s decision on Hep B vaccine

Will Humble Oral Health, Wills Blog

New NIH-Backed Study: Fluoridated Water During Childhood Linked to Better Academic Performance — Contrary to What Kennedy Claims

A landmark NIH-funded study published this week offers evidence supporting the benefits and safety of community water fluoridation, The study directly refutes the false claims Secretary Kennedy has made about community water fluoridation.

Drawing on data from nearly 27,000 individuals across more than 1,000 U.S. high schools the research finds that children raised with recommended levels of fluoride in their drinking water tend to perform better on standardized tests in math, reading, and vocabulary, compared to peers in non-fluoridated communities.

The study reported no negative cognitive effects among older adults (around age 60) exposed to the same fluoride levels during their youth (despite what Kennedy says).

Childhood fluoride exposure and cognition across the life course | Science Advances

Key Findings

  • Improved High School Test Scores
    • The study used the “High School and Beyond” cohort, a nationally representative sample of students followed from 1980 into the 2020s.
    • Adolescents who drank optimal fluoride (around 0.7 mg/L, the U.S. public health recommendation) scored modestly but consistently higher in mathematics, reading comprehension, and vocabulary.
    • The cognitive advantage was small (about 7% of a standard deviation), but statistically clear.
  • No Evidence of Harm Later in Life
    • When researchers followed up with participants around age 60, they found no statistically significant link between childhood fluoride in drinking water and cognitive function (memory, fluency, attention) in older adulthood.
  • Robustness & Quality
    • The study controlled for a wide range of confounders (e.g., socioeconomic status, residential moves) and ran sensitivity analyses to rule out alternative explanations.
    • By focusing on fluoride exposures typical of U.S. water systems, it avoids the critiques of earlier studies that examined much higher levels found overseas.

Childhood fluoride exposure and cognition across the life course | Science Advances

  • Fluoridation is a Local Decision in Arizona: In Arizona, municipal or county governments decide whether to fluoridate their water systems. This new study provides strong, locally relevant evidence to support continued or renewed fluoridation.
  • Leveraging the Study for Advocacy: AZPHA members can bookmark and reference this study in discussions with city councils, county boards, or public health committees. It’s not just theory — it’s real-world, long-term data from U.S. communities.
  • Countering Misinformation: For years, opponents of fluoridation have claimed U.S.-level fluoride harms IQ or health. This rigorous, NIH-funded research directly refutes those claims at the very levels used in public systems.
  • Dental Health + Broader Health Equity: We know that fluoridation reduces tooth decay by at least 25% in children and adults. With this new cognitive data in hand, AZPHA can make an even stronger public health case — not just for preventing cavities, but for supporting brain development and long-term wellness.

Call to Action 

  • Share the Evidence: Use blog posts, newsletters, and presentations to spread awareness among elected officials, water utility managers, and community stakeholders.
  • Engage the Community: Host forums, webinars, or coffee talks in your jurisdiction to explain the significance of the study in plain language.
  • Policy Letters with Impact: When writing to local decision-makers, include a link to the full study (Science Advances, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adz0757) as well as key take-home messages (academic performance, safety, long-term benefits).
  • Align with Other Public Health Messaging: Integrate these findings into broader oral health and local prevention strategies — fluoridation isn’t just about teeth, it’s about lifelong health.

Childhood fluoride exposure and cognition across the life course | Science Advances

Will Humble Public Health, Social Determinants, Wills Blog

New HUD Housing Rules: What They Could Mean for Homelessness & Folks w/ a Serious Mental Illness

The federal housing agency (HUD) just changed the way they intend to issue grants to prevent homelessness. The changes are big, and they’ll affect how Arizona communities are able to prevent homelessness and house people with serious mental illness.

In the past, most HUD housing money was renewed automatically each year using local plans. Under the new rules, only about 30% of the funding will be renewed with the remaining 70% up for competitive awards based on new criteria that HUD is prioritizing (e.g. funds will be preferentially directed to states with criminal penalties for urban camping).

Communities with strict camping bans, written partnerships with police, and programs that require people to take part in treatment will now have a competitive advantage for grant awards over those communities that don’t have those things.

HUD is also setting a limit on how much money can go toward long-lasting housing (permanent supported housing) …  the type of housing that’s important for people with serious mental illness who often need stable housing and supportive services for many years.

The new rules push communities to prioritize their plans to focus on short-term housing with tight rules and required treatment programs.

AHCCCS Housing Programs

Arnold v Sarn Legislative Report 2025

Arizona counties play a role in housing folks with a serious mental illness and they’re now under the gun to come up with plans that match what HUD is looking for or go without the federal funds.

For example, Maricopa County relies heavily on long-term housing. The county’s Continuum of Care includes more than 170 housing programs and more than 15,000 beds. They’ll need to rethink that focus or risk losing up to 70% of their current funding. Many other counties are in the same position.

If HUD funding drops or shifts away from long-term housing (as envisioned by the new HUD rules), Maricopa County could lose up to 1,388 units and about $32M. This would make it much harder for people with serious mental illness to find stable places to live.

Losing long-term housing puts people at great risk. Without a stable home, it’s harder to take medications on time, see doctors, or stay connected to support services. This leads to more mental health crises, more emergency room visits, and more time spent in jail.

Arizona counties and communities now face a stark choice. They can try to match HUD’s new expectations by focusing more on short-term programs, strict rules, and law-enforcement partnerships or roll the dice and risk losing most of their housing funds.

Note: AzPHA Policymaker of the Year awardee Attorney General Kris Mayes (with other Attorneys General) filed a multistate lawsuit accusing the HUD of illegally changing its Continuum of Care housing grant program. The suit argues that HUD is cutting protections for long-term housing by slashing the portion of automatically renewed funding and imposing new conditions like mandatory treatment participation and local anti-camping enforcement—without congressional approval.

The plaintiffs contend these changes will reduce access to permanent housing, destabilize populations with serious mental illness and chronic homelessness, and violate the “Housing First” model. They characterize the policy shift as arbitrary and capricious.

Will Humble Professional Development, Public Health, Wills Blog

Public Health Journalism this Week

Hobbs taps new Arizona Department of Health Services director — the third in 3 years

E. coli outbreak at Arizona State Fair may have started with pig

Kyrsten Sinema is promoting use of ibogaine and RFK Jr.’s MAHA agenda

Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham named CDC deputy director

Drowning top cause of death for Arizona children in 2024

Arizona appeals court revives suit against Corporation Commission’s new yearly rate adjustments

Adult-use marijuana impact on the Arizona economy five years later – Arizona PBS

Prepare for increasing number of mosquitoes in Arizona – Arizona PBS

Will Humble Public Health, Wills Blog

Debbie Johnston Nominated to ADHS Director Post A New Chapter for Arizona’s Health Department?

Over the past four years, Arizona’s Department of Health Services (ADHS) has not had a permanent, Senate-confirmed director. Since 2021, the agency was led by a series of interim leaders, making it hard to keep long-term (and even short term) priorities steady.

That may be about to change. Last week Governor Hobbs named Debbie Johnston as the next director of ADHS, effective Monday. Johnston retired in June 2025 after more than 20 years at the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, where she worked on health policy and regulatory affairs.

I’ve known Debbie for about 20 years, and she’s always struck me as thoughtful and thorough. She listens carefully, studies issues in depth, and can make decisive calls. Her experience is especially strong where ADHS has struggled in the past: licensing and regulating health facilities like nursing homes, assisted-living centers, behavioral health clinics, and other treatment providers.

Under the previous administration, this part of ADHS didn’t perform well — so her background here feels like a real asset.

Even as ADHS made some progress on regulating those facilities, there’s more work to be done. I’m optimistic that Debbie’s leadership can help the agency finish the job.

On the public health side, the agency already has steady leadership: Celia Nabor oversees prevention, Nicole Witt handles preparedness, and Sheila Sjolander, who has been serving as interim director, will return to her role as deputy for public health when Debbie begins.

One thing I hope Debbie will change is how ADHS talks to the public and to journalists. For the last several years, the agency hasn’t been open or clear about public health issues. It would be great to see more transparency — telling the story of public health in Arizona in a way people can understand and trust. I really hope she’s someone who could direct that shift.

Debbie’s nomination will go to the state Senate for confirmation, and I hope  she has a good shot. Her steady, honest approach gives me confidence. But, of course, confirmation is never guaranteed, especially when Hoffman is involved.

Overall, this feels like a promising moment for ADHS. With a confirmed director for the first time in years, the agency may finally get the stability it needs to improve how it regulates facilities and how it communicates with the people of Arizona.

Will Humble Professional Development, Wills Blog

AZPHA at the APHA National Meeting: Making Public Health a Priority

AZPHA has been a proud state affiliate of the American Public Health Association (APHA) since 1928 — nearly 100 years! Being an affiliate comes with great benefits, like national connections and opportunities to share Arizona’s public health work, but it also comes with responsibilities.

One of those responsibilities is choosing an APHA Governing Council and voting for us at the APHA Governing Council.

For the last few years, Rebecca Nevedale has filled that role for us, and this year she also served as the regional lead for the western-state ARGCs. AZPHA usually has members who attend and take part in the APHA Annual Meeting, and this year our representatives from the AZPHA Board of Directors were Rebecca Nevedale and Ryann Whealy.

Every year, APHA hosts its big national conference, bringing together thousands of people from all over the country — and the world — who care about public health. This year’s meeting took place in Washington, D.C., November 2–5, with the theme: “Making the Public’s Health a National Priority.”

There were hundreds of presentations, thousands of attendees, and tons of chances to learn new things, meet new people, and share ideas.

People came to talk about how to keep communities healthy, how to prepare for future health problems, and how to make sure everyone — no matter who they are or where they live — has a fair shot at good health.

Some Highlights

  • Lots of presentations: There were talks, posters, roundtables, lightning sessions — basically nonstop learning all day, every day.
  • Big keynote talks: These “general sessions” brought leaders together to talk about major issues facing public health right now.
  • Special programs: Things like short courses, a film festival, women’s leadership sessions, and “coffee talks” gave people extra ways to learn and connect.
  • The Public Health Expo: A huge exhibit hall where organizations showed off new tools, research, and programs.

Major Themes This Year

  • Health is a human right. The meeting focused on making health a top national priority — not just for some people, but for everyone.
  • Prevention matters. A big message was that stopping problems before they start helps save lives, money, and time.
  • Preparing for the future. Public health leaders talked about how to be ready for the next big challenge, whether it’s a new disease, climate impacts, or community needs.
  • Fairness and equity. A key goal was making sure all communities get what they need to be healthy, especially those that have been left out in the past.

AZPHA’s presence at the national meeting helps make sure Arizona’s voice is heard in national conversations about public health. It also lets our board members and members:

  • Learn about new strategies
  • See what other states are doing
  • Build partnerships
  • Bring back ideas that help improve public health work here at home

Rebecca and Ryann represented Arizona well, joining national discussions, sharing Arizona-based perspectives, and staying connected with other state affiliates.

Relevant APHA 2025 Sessions for Arizona

  • Transforming Public Health through Indigenous-Led Approaches — This session centers Indigenous knowledge, ceremony, and community-led public health strategies. APHA Conference
  • Assessing Health Needs and Barriers in a Tribal Community — A data-driven presentation focused on culturally responsive planning to reduce health disparities in American Indian / Alaska Native communities. APHA Conference
  • Documenting Self-Reported Tribal Affiliation Data in Health Systems — Lessons from expanding electronic health records to better reflect American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) identities. APHA Conference
  • Understanding Health Priorities and Support Strategies in Tribal Health Systems — A panel/session that discusses how tribal health systems find and address their most pressing health needs. APHA Conference
  • Advancing Public Health for AIANNH & API Populations — Focused on public health policy, health equity, and culturally responsive interventions for American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Asian/Pacific Islander groups. APHA Conference
  • Whose Water: The People’s Movement for Safe, Affordable, Community-Controlled Water — Examines water justice, public control, and affordability — very relevant in places facing water scarcity or infrastructure challenges. APHA Conference
  • Center for Climate, Health & Equity Program — This “track” / program includes multiple sessions on environmental health, climate resilience, and equity — important for Arizona especially given heat and climate impacts. APHA Conference
  • Protecting Health from Extreme Heat – State Leadership in Action — A related APHA event/webinar (not sure if part of the main meeting track) that highlights state strategies for addressing heat as a health threat. American Public Health Association

You can dive deeper into the various sessions on the APHA conference website at: APHA 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo

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