Introduction
Some health experts warned for years ahead of the coronavirus pandemic that the nation was unprepared for a major outbreak. Advocates complain that public health receives generous funding after a crisis erupts, but that it lacks sustained funding to build up the infrastructure and talent needed to address fresh challenges as they emerge. Questions surrounding public health have become politicized, with people divided along party lines over disease control measures such as masks and vaccinations. Political interference has undermined the credibility of public health institutions and expert advice. This makes it harder for the nation's patchwork system — with responsibilities divided among the federal, state and local levels — to coordinate a response. The challenges of dealing with the pandemic, meanwhile, have shifted attention and resources away from long-standing problems such as addiction and suicide. President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to fund health efforts generously once he takes office, but experts say the pandemic has made clear that public health requires more sustained support than it has received for decades.
Former teacher Rachel Bardes protests in front of the Orange County Public Schools headquarters in Orlando, Fla., over Gov. Ron DeSantis' return-to-school order despite spiking coronavirus cases in the state. Public health experts have found their credibility questioned as the U.S. health care system struggled to address the crisis. (Getty Images/Tribune News Service/Orlando Sentinel/Joe Burbank)
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Dec. 02, 2022 |
Long COVID |
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Oct. 29, 2021 |
COVID-19 Vaccines |
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Jan. 08, 2021 |
Health and Society |
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Nov. 20, 2020 |
The Public Health System |
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Jul. 17, 2020 |
The Pandemic Economy |
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Jun. 26, 2020 |
Zoonotic Diseases |
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May 08, 2020 |
CTE and Athletes |
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Jan. 24, 2020 |
Conquering Rare Diseases |
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Sep. 13, 2019 |
Measles Resurgence |
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Nov. 30, 2018 |
Obesity Crisis |
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Jun. 15, 2018 |
Superbug Threat |
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Jun. 02, 2017 |
Pandemic Threat |
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Jul. 22, 2016 |
Mosquito-Borne Disease |
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Feb. 13, 2015 |
Emerging Infectious Diseases |
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Nov. 08, 2013 |
Lyme Disease |
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Jan. 06, 2012 |
Preventing Disease |
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Apr. 02, 2010 |
Breast Cancer |
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Sep. 12, 2008 |
Heart Health |
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Aug. 24, 2007 |
Fighting Superbugs |
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Jan. 13, 2006 |
Avian Flu Threat |
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Jun. 20, 2003 |
Fighting SARS |
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Apr. 05, 2002 |
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
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Mar. 09, 2001 |
Diabetes Epidemic |
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Mar. 02, 2001 |
Mad Cow Disease |
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Dec. 24, 1999 |
Asthma Epidemic |
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Aug. 05, 1983 |
Multiple Sclerosis |
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May 27, 1983 |
Chronic Pain: The Hidden Epidemic |
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Sep. 24, 1976 |
Influenza Control |
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Sep. 16, 1970 |
Virus Research |
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Mar. 14, 1956 |
Progress Against Polio |
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May 25, 1955 |
Degenerative Diseases |
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May 25, 1949 |
Chronic Disease |
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Mar. 01, 1924 |
The Foot and Mouth Disease |
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