The future is uncertain, but public health is prepared, adaptable and resilient
By Laura Power, MD, MPH
Director, Office of Public Health Practice
With a new year quickly approaching and the anticipation of the coming political changes, this is a good time to remember that no matter what the future holds, public health is indispensable.
Public health is, according to the 1988 Institute of Medicine report, “what we as a society do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy.” How this is accomplished has evolved over time, but it has always been there and it will continue to be. As we face uncertain times ahead, protecting and promoting health for all remains core to the mission of public health.
In fact, public health expertise is needed now more than ever. And embracing our field’s core tenants will allow us to navigate the road ahead.
Find opportunities in uncertainty
As the old saying goes, the only thing certain in life is uncertainty, and public health practitioners can attest to this more than ever.
It seems like it's always a Friday afternoon when the call comes in for an unexpected concern and public health workers are ready to jump into action. It may be figuring out how to reassure the worried well, facilitating management of an exposure to an infectious disease, or initiating incident command for a local disaster. Whatever it is, it often requires an evidence-based, community-focused approach.
Public health professionals are uniquely equipped to navigate complex environments, with expertise spanning multiple domains, from maternal health to injury prevention, and from government agencies to research institutions and community organizations. The foundations of public health training—critical analysis, effective communication, and strategic problem-solving—provide the cross-cutting skills needed to navigate uncertainty and respond quickly. These capabilities make public health professionals and experts marketable across diverse sectors, ensuring strong career prospects and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to society.
While I can’t predict what the public health job market will look like in one year or five years, what I do know is that public health skills are among the most versatile one can acquire. Alumni of the University of Michigan School of Public Health work in a wide range of industries within and outside of public health—government agencies, health systems, research institutions, non-profits, industry, entrepreneurial pursuits and more.
Build trust through communication
Communication and connection across diverse perspectives is a cornerstone of public health education. It will be these cross-cutting skills and innovative ideas from our public health students today that will contribute to restoring trust in governmental public health and health systems tomorrow.
For a variety of reasons, we saw trust in public health erode during the COVID-19 pandemic and there is much work to do to rebuild trust. We can start by creating spaces for open, respectful dialogue, including being open to questions—whether about the safety of vaccines or fluoride in the water. Approaching questions from a place of curiosity and desire for mutual understanding, rather than shutting people down, will build trust and ultimately improve public health.
We can also build trust by helping others understand the scientific process—a journey of continuous learning, questioning, and evolving understanding. We don’t believe things “because science says so.” Rather we are constantly working to better understand our world through the scientific process and are open to new findings coming to light. In our increasingly polarized world, approaches to improving communication and building trust are more critical than ever.
Look beyond political transitions
While I contemplate how the shifting political landscape may affect me, my work, and the people around me, I try to keep perspective and take things as they come. We cannot know for certain which proposed policies or funding changes will be enacted—or how quickly. Fortunately, our education in public health teaches us about the importance of preparedness and adaptability—skills that can help us navigate potential challenges in the years ahead.
With all our data and prediction models, we do our best to understand what we may face in the future, but it comes down to being prepared to address health challenges as they emerge. Throughout history, public health has consistently adapted to changing circumstances, from responding to outbreaks to navigating policy shifts. The strength of public health lies in a scientific approach rooted in community engagement and adaptability.
Make an impact locally
It's easy to get caught up in what is happening in Washington, DC, but real change often happens closer to home. Local and state public health departments and governments drive many of the interventions, services and policies that impact people’s day-to-day lives. It can be helpful to put your public health expertise and energy to use at the local level. You can make a significant impact by:
- Staying informed about local health issues
- Engaging with community organizations
- Advocating for public health priorities in your local area
The road ahead
At the University of Michigan School of Public Health, our mission remains clear: pursuing a healthier, more equitable world for all. Political administrations may change, funding approaches may shift, but our fundamental priorities endure. We are dedicated to advancing health, promoting equity, and responding to the diverse needs of our local and global communities.
We need public health expertise now more than ever, and the future of public health will be determined by our collective ability to adapt, innovate, build trust and remain steadfast in our core mission.
About the author
Laura Power, MD, MPH, is director of the Office of Public Health Practice and a clinical associate
professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Her
work focuses on enhancing public health capacity through experiential learning opportunities
for students, needs-based workforce development opportunities for practitioners, and
by fostering partnerships between the school, practice-based organizations and community
members. Beginning her career as an infectious disease physician working in hospital
and clinic settings, Dr. Power was inspired to develop a deeper understanding of the
connections between public health and medical practice. She completed additional training
in preventive medicine, with a focus on epidemiology. Now she enjoys connecting medicine
with public health, research with applied practice, and students with professionals
through experiential learning and workforce development.