05/20/2025

ACHNE Announces Position Statement on Upholding Public Health Principles

For Immediate Release

[Dayton, OH] The Association of Community Health Nursing Educators (ACHNE) today announced the release of a new position statement, "Upholding Public Health Principles," addressing recent policy actions that undermine public health infrastructure and erode essential services.

The statement outlines ACHNE's stance on the sustained issuance of executive orders and mass dismissals at the federal level, which the organization views as detrimental to health promotion, disease prevention, and community well-being. ACHNE condemns policies and actions that erode public health systems, politicize science, and destabilize the public health workforce, and reaffirms its commitment to ethical and evidence-informed practice.

"The integrity of our public health infrastructure is vital to the health and security of every community. ACHNE is deeply concerned about the erosion of public health systems and the impact on all populations, especially the underserved. This position statement underscores our commitment to protecting these essential services and advocating for policies grounded in science and equity,” said Heide Cygan, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC, ACHNE President.

The position statement emphasizes several key areas of concern:

• Erosion of Trust in Public Institutions: ACHNE highlights how suppressing scientific data and undermining public health authority erodes public trust and hinders effective responses to health emergencies.
• Destabilization of the Public Health Workforce: The statement addresses the loss of institutional knowledge and weakened response capabilities resulting from the dismissal of experienced public health leaders.
• Deep Advocacy Setbacks for Vulnerable Populations: ACHNE stresses the disproportionate impact of these policy decisions on marginalized and underserved populations, jeopardizing progress toward health equity.
• Disruption of Research and Evidence-Based Programs: The organization warns against the elimination or defunding of research and evidence-based programs and the threat it poses.
• Chilling Effect on Public Health Advocacy and Communication: ACHNE expresses concern about targeting and dismissing health professionals for speaking out, which creates a hostile environment and compromises freedom of speech.

In its call to action, ACHNE urges elected officials, health systems, academic institutions, and professional organizations to collaborate to:

• Protect and reinvest in the public health workforce.
• Uphold transparency, science, and ethics in public health decision-making.
• Resist the politicization of public health.
• Strengthen legal protections for whistleblowers.
• Promote interprofessional education and community engagement.
• Advocate for funding for public health services.
• Support changes in academic curricula to prepare a competent public health workforce.

ACHNE stands united with public health nursing colleagues and interprofessional partners in resisting policies that endanger public health and calls for immediate, collective action to restore and reinforce the principles of justice, equity, and science.

 Read the full position statement here.