Why Intentional Backsliding in Public Health is a Recipe for Disaster: Insights from Former Health Commissioners

A 1973 cover of Time magazine showcased Minnesota Governor Wendell Anderson with the headline “The Good Life In Minnesota.” Reflecting on that time years later, he said, “We had a social conscience that led us to invest in the common good… We didn’t always agree, but we cooperated and compromised. That’s an approach I wish was embraced today.”

Anderson’s thoughts encapsulate a historical approach to governance in Minnesota: working together for everyone’s benefit. For decades, state health commissioners, regardless of party affiliation, prioritized public health. This collaboration across political lines helped Minnesota become one of the country’s healthiest states.

We learned just how important it is to have strong partnerships among federal, state, and local governments. Many challenges, from infectious diseases to maternal health, need teamwork to tackle effectively. Such cooperation helps save both lives and money.

However, recent trends threaten this cooperative spirit. There’s a growing anti-public-health agenda that challenges the foundations of what we built. Vital federal programs aimed at ensuring clean water, air quality, and worker safety are disappearing. It’s alarming, especially since our life expectancy and infant mortality rates are already among the worst in high-income countries. Just as we face a measles outbreak, we are losing the systems meant to protect us.

Public health does need improvements, but cuts are hurting us more than helping. Minnesota’s public health workforce is already stretched thin, and funding reductions could make it worse. Without the ability to collect and share data, we can’t properly identify new health threats or evaluate our responses. This isn’t just a problem for now—it endangers future generations.

We take pride in building a strong public health system in Minnesota. But if we allow these services to weaken or vanish, restoring them will take time and effort. How will we collaborate effectively with businesses, community organizations, and government leaders if our health systems are not robust? A healthy state relies on a healthy public health department to ensure community well-being.

According to a recent survey by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), 67% of public health departments reported budget cuts in the past year. This trend is concerning, especially as we battle not just infectious diseases but also chronic conditions, mental health issues, and environmental hazards. Without strong public health systems, Minnesota could face challenges that are difficult to overcome.

As we reflect on our past and look to the future, it’s clear that a healthy community relies on our collective effort. Let’s work together to protect and strengthen our public health system.



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