Hopeful public health stories from big cities

Today is Public Health Thank You Day. In that spirit, enjoy these stories about our member health departments and their community partners making positive change happen. Join us today in thanking them for all they do.

37% drop in overdose deaths and other prevention success stories

Chicago was profiled in The Guardian for a multi-year effort that is driving down overdose deaths through strong community partnerships and expanded prevention work.

In their pilot year, the Minneapolis Health Department’s naloxone vending machines dispensed 2,000+ boxes of the life-saving medication. The agency also launched a mobile medical unit to bring care directly to residents.

A new Health Affairs article spotlights how the Boston Public Health Commission is reshaping shelter policies to better protect residents at high risk of overdose.

Measles vaccine success stories

How did DC Health raise their child measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rate from 78% to 93%? Through a multi-front effort to make it easier for families to get their children immunized.

A measles outbreak calculator developed by Austin Public Health and the Texas Advanced Computing Center is helping communities across the U.S. show families the  risks of declining vaccination rates.

Major maternal health gains

NYC Health’s Citywide Doula Initiative has supported more than 3,200 pregnant New Yorkers – with zero deaths among program participants.

Detroit’s Rides to Care program has provided 10K+ rides to pregnant people and caregivers, ensuring families can access prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric care without transportation obstacles.

Spotlight on environmental health

Environmental health is one of the least understood parts of public health work. Check out these recent short videos from NYC and Mecklenburg County that give the public a peek into the lives of food and pool inspectors.

Columbus Public Health has used infrastructure funding to make its environmental health team stronger and more flexible.

Pima County’s Consumer Health and Food Safety Division was selected as the 2025 Crumbine Award winner by the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

Preventing lead poisoning

Milwaukee’s health department and school district completed major lead removal in 40+ schools, ensuring safer learning environments when students returned this fall.

After years of coordinated inspections and remediation, Cleveland is seeing promising early declines in childhood lead poisoning, an encouraging sign for families and neighborhoods long impacted by legacy hazards.

Working with teens

Columbus Public Health has partnered with a local nonprofit to bring violence prevention to three city high schools. The students participating in the lunchtime meetups have seen improved grades and fewer disciplinary referrals.

Teaming up with a local public health school, the Multnomah County Health Department is training future public health leaders while expanding its reach in the community. Students get hands-on experience, and residents benefit from new energy and ideas.

Innovative prevention work

How do you place tobacco prevention efforts where they’re most needed when so many people don’t self-report that they’re smokers? Public Health–Seattle & King County developed an ingenious, data-driven solution.

A new Shelby County Health Department program makes HIV testing easier, faster, and more private by offering free, at-home self-test kits delivered in unmarked packaging. This builds trust, reduces stigma, and helps more people know their status – an essential step toward ending HIV transmission.