(WASHINGTON, D.C.)–Today, the Governors Public Health Alliance (PHA) marked its first anniversary, celebrating one year of Governors working together across state lines to strengthen public health, prepare for and respond to emerging threats, and ensure states have access to trusted information and expertise backed by science.
Governors from 15 states—representing approximately one-third of the U.S. population—came together in October of 2025 and launched PHA to give Governors and their public health leadership a venue to share information and best practices, strengthen preparedness and response, and collaborate on public health challenges that cross state lines.
In its first year, PHA has helped Governors and their teams navigate a rapidly changing public health landscape, from outbreaks of cyclospora and hantavirus and the resurgence of measles to changing federal vaccine guidance. The Alliance has connected states with public health experts, provided rapid response briefings and practical resources, and created opportunities for Governors’ Offices to learn directly from one another.
In addition to providing one-on-one support to individual Governors’ offices on a variety of public health challenges, PHA’s work in its first year focused on cross-state action and coordinated rapid response, including:
“Over the past year, we’ve seen firsthand why Governors need a trusted cross-state network they can turn to when public health threats emerge,” said Angela Botticella, Managing Director of the Governors Public Health Alliance. “PHA gives Governors and their teams a venue to share information, learn from one another and access trusted expertise so they can respond quickly to the increasing challenges facing their states. I’m proud of what we’ve built together in our first year, and I’m excited to build on that work in year two.”
As PHA enters its second year, the Alliance will continue supporting Governors as they respond to emerging health threats, navigate changes in the public health landscape, respond to federal policy changes, and identify opportunities to work together across state lines. PHA will also look to grow the Alliance and bring more Governors into the network, strengthening states’ ability to share solutions and prepare for challenges that extend beyond any one state.
“PHA’s first year has shown how robust cross-state action can be when Governors have the infrastructure and support to work together,” said Julia Spiegel, Founder and CEO of Governors Action Alliance (GovAct). “Governors launched PHA because public health challenges increasingly require coordination across state lines – and states need the capacity, expertise, and connections to prepare and respond. As we look ahead, we want to build on that foundation, grow the network and make sure even more Governors from across the country have access to the resources and relationships that can help them protect the people they serve.”
From the Governors
“We created the Governors Public Health Alliance to work with experts and across state borders to protect public health and keep the facts front and center,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom. “This last year has seen new and growing challenges, including the spread of misinformation and the defunding of critical health initiatives. The Alliance, representing one-third of the American population, has created an important resource and firewall to fight back and fight for our people. When it comes to health, science must come first, not politics.”
“Everyone deserves access to the best available science and data to make informed health decisions. In its first year, the Governor’s Public Health Alliance has brought states together to share trusted expertise, support vaccine access, and respond to emerging health threats. I am proud of Colorado’s role as a founding member and grateful for this partnership that helps states strengthen public health and empower people to make informed healthcare choices,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
“All Americans deserve public health policies that are based on science and not politics,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “When the federal government decided—against the pleas of medical professionals—to overhaul our nation’s long-held vaccine policies and make it more difficult for Americans to get lifesaving immunizations that prevent diseases, a coalition of Public Health Alliance states, including Connecticut, acted in the face of these federal changes to ensure that people who live in our states continue to have access to protect themselves against illness. The Public Health Alliance is helping create a national framework for the states to collaborate and act decisively in the interests of public health.”
“Delaware has been laser-focused on strengthening public health by establishing our state’s first Office of the Surgeon General, creating Delaware’s first medical school, eliminating medical debt for 20,000 Delawareans and passing first-in-the-nation legislation that puts patients over profits to deliver more affordable and accessible care,” said Delaware Governor Matt Meyer. “As the Trump administration steps back from its responsibility to protect public health, states must step up. But protecting our communities also means working beyond our state borders. Over the past year, the Governors’ Public Health Alliance has helped governors share information, learn from one another and prepare for new public health threats. There’s more work ahead, and I’m committed to continuing this collaboration with my fellow governors to help keep Delawareans safe and healthy.”
“As a Governor and physician, I know how important collaboration and information sharing are to protect the health of our communities,” said Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green, M.D. “Like so many states, Hawaiʻi has faced public health challenges this year, including disruptions to our healthcare system caused by this year’s storms, a damaging earthquake, flooding and more frequent volcanic eruptions. Through PHA, Governors have a way to share which response strategies are working in our states, learn from trusted public health experts — and coordinate when these challenges extend beyond our borders. That ability to work together makes Hawaiʻi and every state better prepared to protect the people we serve. I’m proud of what we’ve built in PHA’s first year and look forward to continuing this work.”
“With the Trump Administration abdicating its responsibility to public health policy grounded in facts and science, Illinois is proud to collaborate and stand up for the well-being of our people,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “The Alliance’s accomplishments in the past year demonstrate the power of states working together. Illinois remains committed to science, protecting the health of our residents, and ensuring that public health remains grounded in transparency, evidence, and the well-being of everyone in our country.”
“Marylanders deserve to know their health and safety are protected by evidence-backed information and common-sense measures,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “In the absence of strong federal leadership, this alliance is dedicated to learning from each other, sharing best practices, collaborating across state lines, and strengthening our ability to respond to emerging threats. Together, we’re stepping up to deliver real results and secure our communities from public health challenges that threaten the health and security of our nation.”
“The best way to mark the first anniversary of the Governors Public Health Alliance is by continuing our work to safeguard and improve the health of every American,” said New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill. “At a time when public health threats cross borders – and the Trump Administration and Washington Republicans spread misinformation and seek to dismantle critical public health infrastructure – this Alliance shows what responsible leadership looks like. Together, we will remain focused on facts and on taking decisive actions to protect the health of families in every community.”
“New Yorkers deserve clear, reliable information they can trust to make the best decisions for themselves and their families,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said. “As public health challenges evolve, we have a responsibility to ensure people can make informed decisions and access the care and resources they need. By working with other states and leading experts, we can better prepare for emerging threats and keep our communities safe.”
“Viruses and threats to public health don’t abide state lines, so states must have the ability to communicate on strategies that keep people healthy. As the federal government dismantles public health infrastructure and rolls back evidence-based recommendations, the Governors Public Health Alliance serves as a critical resource helping states collaborate to fill the gaps created by the federal government,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “From our strong state and local public health responses on measles to our work with NCDHHS in reaffirming the importance of childhood vaccines, North Carolina will continue to do the work to keep North Carolinians healthy.”
“It’s clear that strong states start with strong health systems,” said Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. “Over the past year, I’ve been proud to join 14 other governors through the Governors Public Health Alliance to make sure our states are ready for the public health challenges ahead. Together, we’ve pushed to keep vaccine guidance grounded in science so Rhode Islanders can get the vaccines they need. This partnership has shown what we can accomplish when we work together, and we cannot let uncertainty in Washington, D.C. get in the way of the progress we’ve made. We have more work to do, and we’re committed to doing it together.”
“The federal government has seen an exodus of scientific experts and alarming shifts in policy that place Washingtonians’ health at risk,” said Washington Governor Bob Ferguson. “Washington state is proud to work with our partners in the Governors Public Health Alliance to safeguard public health and strengthen preparedness — science still matters.”
From PHA’s Public Health Advisors
PHA is guided by a bipartisan group of public health advisors who bring deep experience in public health leadership, policy, research and communication. The Alliance’s advisors include Dr. Mandy Cohen, former CDC Director and North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services; Dr. Anne Zink, former Alaska Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Raj Panjabi, former White House Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense; and Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, epidemiologist and founder and CEO of Your Local Epidemiologist.
“Protecting the health of the public is a team effort. Strong partnerships are essential to keeping communities healthy,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, former CDC Director and former North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services. “In its first year, PHA has built stronger connections between Governors, state health leaders and trusted experts so they can share information, learn from one another, and put evidence-backed expertise into action. That kind of collaboration helps states prepare for what’s ahead and respond when new challenges emerge. I’m proud to be part of this work and excited to see PHA build on it in the years ahead.”
“Having served as a state health official, I know how valuable it is to be able to pick up the phone, talk to a colleague in another state, and learn from what they’ve already experienced,” said Dr. Anne Zink, former Alaska Chief Medical Officer. “Every state faces different challenges, but we have so much to gain by sharing information, data, and practical solutions. In its first year, PHA has helped make connections easier for Governors and their public health teams. That’s the kind of collaboration that helps states use their resources more effectively and ultimately improve the health of the people they serve.”
“One of the biggest lessons from recent public health emergencies is that we can’t wait until a crisis hits to build the systems and partnerships needed to respond,” said Dr. Raj Panjabi, former White House Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense, and author of “Safer: A Playbook”. “Over the past year, PHA has helped Governors strengthen those connections and prepare for threats that can quickly spread beyond state borders. That work matters not only when an outbreak occurs, but every day that states are working to keep their communities safe. The relationships we are building today will help protect more lives tomorrow.”
“Good public health decisions start with good information both from expertise and from the communities we serve, but that information also has to be timely, understandable, useful, and bidirectional,” said Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, epidemiologist and CEO of Your Local Epidemiologist. “Governors and their teams are navigating complex health challenges while trying to give families clear answers about how to protect themselves. Over the past year, PHA has helped connect state leaders with the science and expertise as well as community insights to make informed decisions. As public health continues to evolve, making that information accessible and actionable will be essential to earning trust and keeping communities healthy.”
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About the Governors Public Health Alliance
The Governors Public Health Alliance (PHA) is a nonpartisan coalition of 15 Governors—representing one in three people in the U.S.—committed to protecting public health and improving health outcomes for millions of Americans across our states. An initiative of GovAct, PHA brings together Governors and state health officials to share best practices, strengthen public health systems, protect access to high-quality care, coordinate responses to health threats across state lines and help ensure communities receive clear, credible health information. To learn more, go to www.GovsforHealth.org.
About GovAct
Governors Action Alliance (GovAct) is a nonpartisan nonprofit that unites Governors to champion fundamental freedoms and improve people’s lives. GovAct incubates, launches, and runs alliances of Governors to help states share cutting-edge strategies, legal frameworks, and policy approaches to tackle today’s most pressing challenges on democracy, public health, reproductive freedom, public safety, and more. To learn more, go to www.GovActAlliance.org.